Low Vitamin D issue after DCIS

I have had breast cancer three times in my right breast. Fortunately all of them DCIS. Had a mastectomy finally after the third time in Nov 2004. After reading an article about the possible correlation of women with a low vitamin D level and breast cancer, I asked my PCP to check my vitamin D level and it also was very low (14 nanos). It should be somewhere between 24 and 50 or 60,  He started me on 1000 units of Vitamin D 3. I also take calcium with vitamin D and of course there is vitamin D in milk. He is going to check it again in June when I have my yearly physical. I didn't have any symptom that I could notice. I just happen to read about it and started to ask questions. In fact, I bought the vitamin D before I saw my doctor and he said it was a good idea to take it and I asked him about running the lab work to check my level. Apparently, this is something that not all have been aware of to check for routinely. I am glad that I brought it to his attention. I didn't realize that my Vitamin D level was so low even though I live in Michigan and we don't have much sunlight during the long winter months. I also had been avoiding exposure to direct sunlight as I have very fair skin and had a pre-skin cancer removed from my face about 5 years ago. From everything that I have researched since becoming aware of this correlation I am convinced that this deficency could be an important finding.

Interesting that I found this topic. My oncologist is going to test my vitamin D levels next visit. I had a routine dexascan and it showed beginning osteopenia in my hip. I was floored since I have 4 sisters and a mom who have normal dexa's and generations of strong women who have no osteoporosis. I am very low risk for osteopenia/osteoporosis so she might be thinking vitamin D deficiency which can also be related to BC. I will know in a couple weeks.

Good topic-thanks for bring this up. I am anxious to hear what everyone thinks.

Quinnie 

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS.  After my biopsy I bled alot forming a golf ball size hematoma. During that time the rad suggested maybe the calcifications were arterial even though it didn't seem likely.  I had several days to wait for path labs so I did alot of research on arterial calcifications.  Everything led to hypercalcemia - hyperparathyroidism - even Monkenberg's disease.  Anyhow, hyperparathyroidism means that the parathyroid is not working properly and releasing more calcium into the blood than needed.  Several of sites talk about Vitamin D difficiencies as a result.  My labs came back positive for high grade DCIS, however, I can't help but wonder if I have DCIS because of an inefficient parathyroid.  I am going to ask for appropriate testing.  Has anyone else been tested?  Has anyone else been informed of a link between DCIS and hypercalcemia due to hyperparathyriodism?   Just curious!

When taking over the counter vitamin D read the instructions carefully.  Some needs to be taken with food to help the body absorb it and some does not.

Also I have read that you should not take all your vitamins at the same time as your body can only absorb so much at one time.  It is better to take your vitamins in smaller doses throughout the day.

Make sure you are taking vit D3....the 3 is important.  I had been tested for D def a year ago and my levels were 19.  I was surprised as we live in the South and I am outside with the kids all day every day!  I was put on 10,000iu's twice a day for a month and then switched to 2,000iu's for life.  I did feel a difference after the first month, I just felt 'better'.  My new 'project' is to figure out why my hormones are out of whack. 

Marianna - HI!- I too am trying to figure out 'why' so it doens't happen again.  For me, I'm thinking hormones.

My breast cancer diagnois came right before my regular physical.  At the physical, my doctor did a blood test for Vit D--to the best of my knowledge it had never been checked before.  I came back a 13.  I have done the 50,000 units once a week since early December --refilled the prescription a few weeks ago.  The Oncologist said that I could do additional D but make sure it was combined with fat so I got drops of D3 in 1000 units.  I take those daily or even twice a day.

My oncologist is planning to do a full blood work up when I come to see her in May after I am done with my Zapping.  It will be interesting to see what my levels are after all the supplements---I will be sure to report. 

Hi sweatyspice,  My Rad Onc told me that Vit D was okay during Rads, didn't have a problem with me taking it, especially when I told him that I had been diagnosed as Vit D deficient. 

I took myself off of the Drisdol today (I've only taken one dose- 50K weekly), mainly because of what I've read about D3 being more important.... so I bought a grocery-store brand of D3, and I've taken 2500 today. My levels were at 39 a few weeks ago when I got tested at my endocrinologist. I am wondering if I can "up" the D3 to 7000 a day, which is essentially what I would have gotten from the massive doses of Drisdol. I know, I know, I shouldn't doubt my docs, but of course, I read too much and look where it gets me!!!