help with vit D levels

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  • PS73
    PS73 Member Posts: 469
    edited February 2010

    here is a blurb on full spectrum lighting. 

     http://www.slate.com/id/88871/

    The Canadian study did find that the trace amounts of UV light emitted by full-spectrum bulbs could be helpful for the production of vitamin D for people in extreme circumstances (living in submarines, homebound, etc.).

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited February 2010

    I'm doing the salon's basic plan - currently building up to 17 minutes daily for a month.

    Going to call the endocrinologist's office to ask if I should get a D level after a month, or if I should go for another month, or both.

    I don't know if I could do more time - these things are WARM.

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  • makingway
    makingway Member Posts: 799
    edited February 2010

    For those of you who have been supplementing with vitamin D3 and your levels have not improved much, you might want to actually WATCH the video link I posted earlier in this thread. It explains that if you are supplementing with vitamin A you should limit the amount to 6000 per day. Vitamin A uses the same cell receptor that the D3 does and will therefore block it.

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited February 2010

    I had a 41 D3 level about 3 months ago...now I'm at 53...I took 5000 IU's of D3 per day.  I'm excited..I live in cold snowy Ohio and haven't seen the sun for..it seems like years!  Anyway..I will continue the 5000 IU's per day..and try to get some sun sometime..hopefully soon!

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  • arnie2two
    arnie2two Member Posts: 1,215
    edited February 2010

    Sadly, my onocologist said many ono's don't check for Vit D deficiency is because there's no money in it.... If you can get the sunshine...it's free!  Anyway, he did mine and I was low so am on 2,000 iu daily.  Also, I was told all during chemo, (which was all summer for me) not to be in the direct sunlight so no wonder mine was soooooooo low. 

    Long story short....if your doctor doesn't request  Vit D level check...demand it!!! 

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  • Jayne_in_UK
    Jayne_in_UK Member Posts: 517
    edited February 2010

    Arnie I was also told to stay out of the sun or use high SPF sunscreen whilst on chemo over the summer. Not sure if my onc checked my Vitamin D levels or not. I'll put it on my list of questions to ask when I see him in March.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited February 2010

    Vitamin D check is a simple blood test. And 5000 units of D3 - available OTC - is the minimum to take daily to get your levels to 90-100.



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  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Member Posts: 149
    edited February 2010
    Makingway - Thanks for the link on vit. D. Interesting. Had my vit D tested and had score of 38. Going to PCP today as he agreed that it was low. I am taking 1800 IU's now but I'm sure that will be bumped up. Thanks agan. Chris
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  • seaotter
    seaotter Member Posts: 1,083
    edited February 2010

    I personally would never use tanning beds, it is not natural.

    Patty

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited February 2010

    Yeah, I hear you on saying that most docs don't routinely test for vitamin D levels.  I live in Southern CA, walk my kids to school almost every day, spend a decent amount of time outside, drink lots of milk, take a calcium/vit d pill that has about 400 or 500 units plus whatever my normal multivitamin has,  etc. . . When I asked my primary doc about the vit D test, she pretty much told me that she almost never sees patients who live in So Cal with deficient levels.  I talked her into testing me, though, and guess what--I'm at a 33!  I guess I'll be starting the supplements soon. . . SIGH . . .

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  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited February 2010

    My onc just tested my Vit D levels and they came back at 44.  This was, however, after a little lapse in taking the D.  About 3 weeks before the test, I got back on track and have been taking 4,000 IU's per day.  So, I'm hoping that by the next blood work, it will be even higher. 

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  • happy29
    happy29 Member Posts: 296
    edited February 2010

    Love Calson Vitamin D drops- 2,000 IUs- so easy -no pills

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010

    weety911, interesting as my doctor said of course you would be VitD deficient, almost everyone is.  I think its just that people are indoors so much more than they used to be.  And when you are outside, you tend to load up on sunscreen.

     happy29 and all---I just bought the carlson VitD drops and they really are soooo easy.  I just put the drop on the back of my hand and lick [per recommendation of the store]  I have the 1000IUs--the guy at the store suggested getting 1000 instead of 2000 and just doubling up as I saw fit which made sense to me.  The thing is, its soooo inexpensive compared to regular Vit D pills---less than $20 US for a years supply! Compare that to a bottle of pills--oh and my DH compared ingrediants--the Vit D capsules are mostly rice bran oil!

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited March 2010

    May I ask a silly question?  I've been reading all of your posts....I have had a BMX....do I need to be worried about my vitamin D levels, or since my breasts are gone - and supposedly my risks for BC, as well - is this a non-issue for me??

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited March 2010

    Low Vitamin D levels are also linked to colon, prostate, and other cancers.  Get you levels where they need to be, no less than 50ng/ml

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for the reply.  I see my onco, tomorrow, and I also had my blood drawn today for the BRCA 1 & 2 testing....just wondered if the Vit D level was worth mentioning tomorrow if my doc didn't mention it.  Am also having the Lynch/HNCPP (I think those are the right initials??) test run as well...

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  • Blundin2005
    Blundin2005 Member Posts: 1,167
    edited March 2010

    I started to take 1200 IU D3 supplements last July.  Prior to that it was 400 IU.  

    These are the values for ng/ml:  Feb 2010 = 24; Jan 2009 = 19; Jan 2008 = 31 

    Seems to me that something more is going on in my metabolism.  Hypothyroid must play a role as I have this also.  

    arrggh.

    Just watched the video 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

     http://www.grassrootshealth.net/  Many many thanks for this posting from the ladies above.

     

     

     
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  • cd1234
    cd1234 Member Posts: 169
    edited March 2010

    I have been taking about 6000 iu's of Vit D for about 6 months. My onc tested me yesterday and I am only at 38! She was very surprised that I am so low and taking so much. She will test me at my next three month appointment and if I am not higher, she is going to put me on prescription strength Vit D. I was nervous that I was taking too much!

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  • Blundin2005
    Blundin2005 Member Posts: 1,167
    edited March 2010

    I found the information about the vit A receptor competing with vit D very interesting.  It reminded me of the P450 enzyme needed to metabolize Arimidex yet used by many anti depressive drugs as well...and many of us took both. 

    Call me crazy (and many have!) but is it possible that I'm eating too well my fruits and veggies and getting too much vitamin A which blocks the D3 receptors?   Parsley, oregano, thyme are staples in our cooking not to mention tomatoes and cheese.  

    http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=106 

    When I looked at the foods on this list I realized that we eat many of them daily. As this information about vit D is relatively new to us, so too is the correlating information that will follow I suspect.    

    I think I'll check again in Aug/Sep as recommended in the video and see what changes.  We get plenty of sun here.  I'll just make sure to walk the dogs between 11 a and 1 p.  

    I still like my mushrooms for a food source of vit D!  I miss hearing from Blindedbyscience...she always had a good handle on this topic.

    Best wishes to all as always, 

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited March 2010

    Dear cdean1971,

    Are you taking D3? Also, vitamin D3 will not be absorbed by your body unless you take Magnesium. The recommeded dosage for Magnesium is about 320-400mg per day. Many people are deficient in Magnesium, and it would be to your benefit to have that checked.

    The prescription D is D2 which is totally worthless. D3 is not made in prescription form here in the US. There is a woman from Austrailia who was receiving D3 in prescription form.

    Please take some time and read all the articles from the links provided on this thread, and you will see that there is no need to be concerned about the amount you are taking. Your levels should be closer to 100 ng/ml, for a person diagnosed with cancer. My daughter Lori was dx with TNBC and finally has her D levels at 82.6. She is on BHRT, (biodentical hormone replacement therapy), and until she began BHRT, could not get her D levels up. Good luck sweetie!!Wink

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited March 2010

    The point about magnesium is very important. 

    One can get magnesium through many foods but since our bodies are messed up, one supplement a day is probably a good idea.  There is not enough magnesium in the average calcium tablet so you will need a pure magnesium source. Take 250 mg per day which is 63% of the RDA.  If you get loose stool, cut it in half or take it every other day.  Don't forget your calcium either.

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  • cd1234
    cd1234 Member Posts: 169
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for the tips on Magnesium. I knew I needed it for proper absorption, but I thought that the amount I was getting from my calcium would be enough. I am taking D3. It is interesting that my onc is concerned about my levels, but did not ask about Magnesium. I don't know why I am surprised, I had to push her to get my Vit D level checked.

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited March 2010

    Does anyone know what magnesium levels should be?  Is it like vitamin D in which the "official" low normal is really lower than what is optimal?  What foods are high in magnesium?

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited March 2010

    There is a blood test for it.  The RDA is around 350 mg per day.  If you have kidney problems be sure to ask you doctor before taking supplemental magnesium. 

    You can find foods that are good sources by googling, food magnesium. 

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited March 2010

    Dear weety911,

    Articles on Magnesium.

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003487.htm

    http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp

    http://www.bloodbook.com/ranges.html

    http://www.naturalnews.com/028171_magnesium_brain_function.html

    http://blog.seattlepi.com/naturalnotes/archives/177979.asp

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  • RobinWendy
    RobinWendy Member Posts: 1,983
    edited March 2010

    Robinlbe

    The answer to your question is yes.  It may help prevent a recurrence even though you are at Stage 0.  My onc just tested my levels and I am at 44, which is not bad.  I take 4000 IU's per day plus whatever comes in my Calcium.  Maybe you should ask your onc to test your levels.

    Robin 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    44 is not optimal. 80 is optimal according to the Vitamin D Scholars.

    "Not knowing when the dawn is coming, I open every door." -- Emily Dickinson

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  • mathteacher
    mathteacher Member Posts: 243
    edited March 2010

    Does anybody remember Karen from Seattle who finally had mets in remission when she got her D level to 100?

    Her doc said to keep taking as much D as she need to in order to keep it there.

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited March 2010

    Dear weety911,

    Here is an article which lists foods high in Magnesium.

    http://www.algaecal.com/magnesium/magnesium-rich-foods.html

    Mathteacher...is Karen from Seattle a woman who posts here? I would love to read about her.I just know there is a very important connection as to Vitamin D and cancer...any type of cancer.

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited March 2010

    Thanks, Robin...I asked my onc. about the Vit. D levels today...she said that she normally doesn't test anyone around this area this time of year for Vit. D levels because everyone is low... told me to begin taking Calcium with D added, and that I could always have my D levels checked later.  She must not be as "up" on this as you all are, because she just attributed the D levels to bone health.  Of course, she's of the opinion that DCIS is just "pre-cancer" anyway, as I know some doctors see it - but the way I look at it - as does my breast surgeon- if it were JUST "pre", then why did I have to lose my entire breast?  Grateful, of course, that it was caught very early!!!!  But also want to do everything I can to keep anything from going further....

    Am waiting on the BRCA1/2 testing results...guess I'll start doing my own thing with Vit. D after learning all that I have from you all....surely couldn't hurt.

    Thanks for everything...

    blessings...robin

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