help with vit D levels

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited March 2010

    Blunding 2005:

    I don't think there is any way you are eating your veggies "too well" Wink but it does look like you are not metabolizing your Vitamin D that well, maybe? Perhaps you should have a talk with your doctor about that and find out what's going on (usually, darker skinned people are the ones who have a very, very hard time metabolizing D3).....Just find out what you can do to metabolize your D3 better (my cancer treatment center told me to take my D3 with my largest meal of the day. I also take it with Magnesium). By the way, perhaps you need to INCREASE your D3 intake

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

    Hi Yazmin...I agree with you that an increase of D3 is in order. I'm a fan of everything in moderation so I agree too that I'm probably not overdoing the veggies, etc.  

    I've been tweaking this for years now.  The balance of calcium/magnesium/D3 is key.  My body lost balance a thyroid disease ago I think.  

    Here is what my D3 supplement includes: 

    Calcium (Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite, Clacium Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Citrate) 1,221 mg 120%
    Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 1,200 IU 300%
    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 555 mcg 30%
    Magnesium (Amino Acid Chelate and Citrate) 600 mg 150%
    Zinc (Amino Acid Chelate) 15 mg 100%
    Copper (Amino Acid Chelate) 3 mg 150%
    Manganese (Amino Acid Chelate) 1.7 mg 90%
    Molybdenum (Amino Acid Chelate) 105 mcg 140%
    Boron (Amino Acid Chelate) 2.25 mg *
    Vanadium (Pentoxide) 150 mcg *
    Silica (from Horsetail Extract) 10 mg *
     

    I take one a day along with a multiple vitamin.  I'll need to bump up the D3.  The question is I guess are the other elements in proportion? I need to poke my docs more about this. I take them with my meals.  

    Several years ago, I found through our discussions here that taking magnesium was a huge help to relieving pain.   I don't think it is disassociated with the D3 issue. I shared all of this with my docs back then.

    It's time for my thyroid check ups too.

    Thanks for the comments. 

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    Thanks for all the great information, ladies.  I had my VitD levels checked; I'm 8.5.  Off to the vitamin store I go...

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited March 2010

    Blundin,  A lifeguard takes in about 20,000IU's of Vit D from being out all afternoon.  Our bodies can usually manage the higher doses, just not forever, so it's a good thing you are using bloodwork to determine how much to take.  It is quite possible that you may need to increase your dosing.  My naturopath has me on 10,000 per day currently to get my low levels up.  I have pills which are 5,000 that I purchased at my local health shop. I was on 1,000 per day for years and still showed up with levels around 20 - no good.  So, for me, I need to take in more for awhile in order to get those numbers up where they need to be.  Also, an acidic diet or heavy protein diet prevents our bodies from utilizing all the D we take in (China Study).  

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

    Thanks kcshreve.  The body really is remarkable isn't it?!  I remember reading that it stores the vit D for our needs.  It's probably an issue of the clocks in our cells not being aligned to the clocks of our lifestyles.  Interesting too about the protein....my husband loves protein so we do eat a lot of it.  I'll increase the dosage starting immediately.

    Also, I became a "fan" of GrassrootsHealth.net on Facebook.  They responded with some good information too.

    I'm loving the Internet for Health information and support!

    Best wishes to all as always,

    "Never run faster than your guardian angel can fly" 

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

    Artemis wrote:   I had my VitD levels checked; I'm 8.5.  Off to the vitamin store I go...

    Is the 8.5 a typo?  If not, did you have a great deal of bone pain?

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    notself ~ Nope, no typo.  8.5, and yes, I do have bone pain.  Well, joint pain really.  My knees, hips and shoulders have ached since I was a teenager, and Tamoxifen is making it worse.  I'm really hoping that getting my VitD levels up will help.  Surely can't hurt, right?!  I'm so thankful for this thread. Smile

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

    Take at least 4000 IU per day along with calcium and magnesium.  Get retested in 90 days and adjust your dose based on the results and your doctor's advice.  You should feel a difference in pain in about a month or so.

    Let us know how it goes.

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

    Blundin, I could be wrong, but I think kcshreve meant to lower the amount of protein in your diet for better vitamin D utilization.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited March 2010

    ARTEMIS... first.. GREAT TO SEE YOU !!!! :)

    Second.. girlllllllllllllllllll, get those D levels up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I take about 6000iu daily now.. with the proper Mag... and I am still only at 50ish... and 8.5... NUTS...

    You need RX D3 from your doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited March 2010

    Doctors generally rx D2.  D3 is sold over the counter and has fewer side effects, I'm told.  Just to give you a perspective in dosing, if a doctor decides you need supplementation, they give you pills which are 50,000IU each.  My word!  And we're often told to take only 1000?  For me, I need more like 10,000/day for many weeks to get my levels to increase.   And, yes, The China Study does make a connection between higher protein intakes pulling down our Vit D processing - so lower protein may be beneficial.

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

    Hi weety911 and kcshreve...yes I understood the protein message.  Probably I didn't write that clearly...sorry for the confusion.  Thanks for your concern that that message was understood.  

    8.5 !!!!!  Did the lab double check that result?   

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

    Blundin, Glad to hear we just misunderstood you--I guess that's what can happen with the written message--sarcasm often gets mixed up! 

    Also, a question about your supplement--what is the brand name?  I'm trying to find a calcium/D3 combo.

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    I had my vitamin D checked in Dec and I was at 175 which if I calculate the way Nan said is actually 175nmol/L divided by 2.496 = 70ng/ml - Can that be right? I'm only taking 2000mg D3 per day and I'm not even taking any magnesium????

    Terri

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2010

    Hi, Estepp!!  Good to see you, too. Smile  Are you feeling better since your levels are coming up?  I know you were 4 and having lots of pain...

    I have Rx VitD for 50,000 IU a week.  I know the OTC D3 is meant to be better, but I'll go ahead and take this and see what happens.  If it works, fine.  If not, I'll try the OTC which I had planned to do anyway.

    Will someone tell me how much calcium should I be taking?  Thank you!

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited March 2010

    Artemis,

    I took the RX 50,000 IU's of d2 and also took 3000 IU's of D3 for 8 weeks.  My level went from 20 to 35.  I thought it would have gone up more!  I would suggest taking both, and taking alot!  Best of luck to you!

    Linda

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited March 2010

    Dear my560sel,

    I looked back over the posts, and you wrote that your D levels were 110 not 175. The equation works out to 44, not 70. You have a ways to go to get to the optimal of closer to 100 sweetie, and 2000 IU's will not get you there. I do not know why people are so worried about taking up to 10,000 IU's a day. After reading hundreds of articles from reliable sources, it will not do any harm. Being deficient in vitamin D will!!  As long as you have your levels checked what is the harm?

    Dear Artemis,

    From what I have read 1200 mg of calcium is what they recommend. However, now I read that vitamin K2 is much better than calcium. Doesn't it just make you want to bang your head off the keyboard??Laughing Artemis, that script for D2 is worthless, and you are wasting your time taking it. A level of 8.5 is not the lowest reading I have read. One gal on the TNBC site had levels of minus 4!!

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    Nan: I'm sorry but I think you have me confused with Mantra. We're both from Canada so that may be where the confusion comes in. Today was the first time I have posted on this site. My level tested at 175 in Dec and I'm just wondering how that could be since I'm only taking 2000mg a day? Seems to me it doesn't make any sense since some women are taking much more than 2000 a day and are still low. I'll try to get another test done when I see my ONC in April. From what I've been reading, I guess I should be taking calcium as well...

    Terri

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited March 2010

    Dear my560sel,

    Oh sweetie you are sooo right!! Embarassed Let me bang my head on the keyboard a few times!!Smile

    Did you in fact have the 25-hydroxy testing? You are right as to the conversion then, if in fact it states D3 at 175. As I said, the articles that I have been reading now are stating that we should take K2 and not calcium.The calcium is not absorbed unless you take D3.

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    Nan: Don't bang your head at all, it was an honest mistake...lol
    This is how my test results read:

    Vitamin D: 25-OH  Units: nmol/L       Reference: 79.9 - 250    Result: 175

    Does that seem right to you?? What's the 25 - OH mean??

    Terri

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

    my560sel, 

    There are two ways to calculate blood levels of D.  It can be calculated in nmol/l [nanomoles per liter] or in ng/ml [nanograms/milliliter.  Most people on this thread are speaking about their D levels in ng/ml.  You got your results in nmol/l.

    175 / 2.496 = 70 ng/ml.  Your levels are great.

    You may be supplementing with 2,000 IU per day but you may also have Vitamin D in your calcium tablets.  The average calcium tablet contains 400 IU of D3.  If you take two then you are getting an additional 800 IU per day.

    If you use a tanning bed or are out in the sun a great deal then you are picking up D3 from the sun.  If you drink a lot of milk you are also getting D3 from that source.

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    notself: The strange thing is I'm not taking any calcium nor am I using a tanning bed and I haven't had a glass of milk in over a year since being diagnosed. I'm cutting out most dairy as I've heard that dairy products cause mucous and that's not what you want when dealing with BC. Not sure where I read it but I ate way too much cheese pre BC and I'm wondering if that may have contributed to my getting BC amongst other things. 

    I'm in Montreal and the weather is pretty gray from Oct to April with snow and whatever so I can't be getting my Vit D that way either. I'm confused...I guess I should just be happy with the results and get re-tested in April at my next DR's app't. In the meantime, I've upped my dose to 4000 per day as I probably need it during the winter months.

    Terri

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

    my560sel,

    It is strange.  You body could be very good at processing vitamin D .  Who knows?

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

    I'm thinking it has to do with the processing as well.  I'm in sunny, southern california and walk kids to school, go to little league baseball games, parks, etc. and my vitamin d was only 33.  I also drink 1-2 glasses of milk a day.  I was surprised at my number and although the range "says" I'm at the low normal, I know otherwise based on all these posts I've been reading.  It must have to do with how our bodies utilized the vitamin d we take in.

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    notself/ weety911: Right now I have a hard believing my body is good at doing anything....Frown after being diagnosed, I feel betrayed. I'll get my levels re-checked just to be sure and if they really are that high, well I'll be the first one dancing...lol

    Terri

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

    Yeah, my560sel, I totally understand you not trusting your body anymore.   They just recently found a complex cyst on one of my ovaries, which in most cases, is probably benign.  BUT. . . in my case, they're worried because of "my history" of breast cancer and all.  I go for the consult next week, but it looks like they are going to recommend having everything removed "to be on the safe side."  I'm totally scared that it will be something--either ovarian cancer or breast cancer mets.  I definately don't trust my body anymore.  Hate it, hate it, hate it.

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

    My60Sel,

    Sorry I thought I'd double check. Are you  sure it is 175 and not 17.5?

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  • DaylilyFan
    DaylilyFan Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2010

    Weety911:  I understand the cause for concern, but please get a second opinion before surgery anyway.  Good luck, and keep us posted!

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited March 2010

    Weety911: I agree, I think you should get a second opinion before you go ahead with any surgery. Just as a thought, if it turns out to be a benign cyst you may want to have a look on the iodine thread on this site. Apparently, taking iodine shrinks ovarian cysts. I have a cyst on my left ovary adn am thinking about taking the iodine but I want to research further because I am hypothyroid and I need to understand what impact the iodine will have on my med dosage. But it's worth looking into if you have a chance...

    unklezwifeonty: Just double checked and it is 175.

    I now we've touched ont his subject a couple of pages back, but do any of you really think it would be worth  using a tanning bed for a few minutes a day to get extra D? I know there are different types of bulbs used in these beds but which ones are the safest (if any) to lie under?

    Terri

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

    Thanks ladies for all the support.  I was already heading in the direction of the ooph/hysterectomy based on my family history anyways (uterine cancer).  We were going to use lupron or goselerin to shut down the ovaries first, and then do the surgery in the future, but this whole cyst thing just kind of speeds everything up, I guess. 

    Terri, I think NO bulb is safe in tanning beds.  I think they are all bad.

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