Did anyone have Vitamin D levels above 50 ?

mine was also 18. i'm trying to get it higher now, but haven't restested yet.

My level was 19 - which my gynecologist discovered more than a year after my diagnosis. My oncologist never checked. I have been on 50,000 Unit weekly for about 5 mos and haven't retested. My new oncologist said many, many of his patients have low D and it is critical to keep it up!

I never knew what my vit d level was untill recently after moving and new dr wanted d levels, it was 49  and with taking 5, 000 iuds every day was not all that great from what my dr said- Any one who is 18 or close to that in my opinion is not taking enough d- that seems awefully low, but then again am not a dr. also heard recently that to much vit d is not absorbed correctly so if you have 5,000 iud's cut in half and take different times of the day,

My vit D level was 10 at diagnosis, I was shocked since I get some daily sun exposure and have slightly olive toned skin.  Now taking rx for 50,000 per week and will retest in one month.  My friend who is an endocrinologist suggest this is important for other diseases as well such as diabetes.  She also suggests you take your vit D with a fatty meal or snack for better uptake. 

Here's  an article - not on Vit D - but Vitamins E and C. The Shanghai study referenced here is the first large-scale  study to look at antioxidant use during cancer treatment  ...

New study results on antioxidants during chemo

When I asked my oncologist about doing high-dose antioxidants during chemo, she was honest; she said the research isn't there to say whether it would be a good or bad thing.  My radiology oncologist, considered one of the best from Georgetown University's cancer center, was more blunt yet "I just don't know. I am ignorant."

 I have heard a few of my pink sisters say their doctors cautioned them against supplements high in antioxidants during treatment, swayed by evidence suggesting they can interfere with the drugs' effectiveness. You may have heard the same, and the jury is still out, because the epidemiologic data is limited. But a study recently reported (Cancer Eipdemiol Biomarkers  Prev Dec 21)  indicates doing some antioxidants from the time of diagnosis can cut your chances for recurrence, even if you take the supplements during chemo. The study looked specifically at Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

Background and concerns:  Radiation and certain chemotherapies produce free radicals, ultimately causing oxidative damage which kills cancer cells. There is widespread concern that antioxidant supplements interfere with the drugs' effectiveness by not only protecting healthy cells, but shielding cancerous ones, too.

The Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. This study followed 4,877 women aged 20 to 75 diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in China between 2002 and 2006. At a mean four years after diagnosis findings were: 18 percent fewer deaths and 22 percent fewer recurrences in women who used Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and multivitamins. This was regardless of whether they did chemo and after adjustment for lifestyle factors, socio-demographics, and known clinical prognostic factors.

What does the data mean? In the words of Xiao-Ou Shu, MD Phd MPH, lead investigator of the study: "Our results do not support current guidelines that all supplements should be avoided during cancer treatments. The results actually suggest that  vitamin supplement use in the first six months after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with reduced risk of mortality and recurrence. To my knowledge, this study is the first large prospective study among breast cancer survivors to investigate the association of vitamin use during cancer treatment and breast cancer recurrence and mortality.  The results highlight the need for more research."

Shu suggests future studies focus on variable settings and populations, and consider factors like appropriate dosages as dose information was not available on participants in the Shanghai Study, though the majority was taking recommended over the counter dosages.

Contact information:

Xiao-OuShu, MD, PhD, MPH Division of Epidemiology,  Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Xiao-ou.shu@vanderbilt.edu

I posted this and other articles on diet, supplements and herbs (among other topics) on my site; www.1UpOnCancer.com.

Rachel

Rachel

lago - can I ask how low you were initially?  My score of 6 seems to be the thread-winner at the moment and it's a trophy I'm not all that thrilled to have!  Take it from me??

I started taking vitamins the week before last once I found out about it...a multi-vitamin plus additional pills that up my total daily intake to 2250 IU of D3 and 1500 IU of Calcium (Mom had significant osteoperosis) plus 2000 MG Flax seed oil (because my friend insisted lol). 

I meet with the BC on Monday, nutritionist on Tuesday and the MO on Weds.  Surprisingly, no one has mentioned this horrible Vit D score in my results when the results came through before my surgery but I plan to bring it up with all, needless to say!

My VD level was 3, not a misprint.  I took 50,000 IU for 8 weeks during chemo, the level went to a whopping 20.  Back to taking the 50,000IU VD for another 8 weeks and I take 2000IU/day and have been forever.  Want the onc to write me script for Caribbean Vacation so the insurance company would pay for it.

Mine was 72....had blood test months after lumpectomy, surgery and radiation

My vit D level was 33 when tested right after the lumpectomy.   My oncologist has me on 5,000 iu a day  and I was just tested again after 4 months and it is up to 54.    Will get tested again in about 3 months. I actually feel better taking the 5,000 iu along with other supplements.

Thatgirl - My doc never mentioned it to me.  I go for herceptin tomorrow and I would like for them to do it.  What should I say?

4 years after my LCIS diagnosis, after my doc prescribed a 25-OH vit D level for me, I followed the Vit D council (a nonprofit organization with many international experts)  suggestion to consume 5000 international units/day for 2 months (in addition to the 1200 international units that came with my calcium and the approx 3-4 cups of milk/day).  (I work the graveyard shift.)

  http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ 

  My level was 56.9.