high calcium, low vitamin D

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txstardust
txstardust Member Posts: 599
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
high calcium, low vitamin D
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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    I was unpleasantly surprised by some blood test results today.  The tests were actually done by another doc (not my onc) just checking things out.  She said my blood calcium level is high, 10.7, and at the same time, my Vitamin D level is low at 23.  I have not been taking any calcium supplements to explain the high calcium levels, and I live in sunny San Antonio, TX, so it seems odd that my Vit D is low.

    The most worrisome to me is the elevated blood calcium.  I went back and checked some previous bloodwork done in December and September of last year, and the levels then were 9.8 and 9.9 respectively.  Should I worry about this?

    FYI, it's been about a year since active treatment was completed.  I had TAC chemo and then 6 weeks of rads.  All scans up to this point have not showed any problems.  I was on the bisphosphonate study for about a year, on the zometa arm, but discontinued after the SABC findings showing no benefit for premenopausal women (last dose was in December). 

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    bump (don't want this to get lost in the shuffle)

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited May 2011

    txstardust please go see your onco if your other Dr is not addressing it.  Two things that I know of that will cause calcium in your blood is thyroid problems and the other is bone mets.  There may be more issues just not sure.  As far the low vitamin D, I live an hour from you and am outside all the time.  Mine started in the high 30's which is not techinally low but my MO wants it higher.  I am now mid 40's since being on 2000 IU's of D3 daily.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited May 2011

    txstardust ~ Are you actually outdoors a lot in the sun?   Do you use sunscreen?  That can cut our Vitamin D absorption by 95%, as do sunglasses.    Deanna

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    The nurse practitioner for the doc who ordered the test did ask me to let the onc know.  It's a psychiatrist office, so they aren't really well-versed on oncology issues.  She did tell me not to take any calcium supplements, and to start taking Vit D supplements.  Of course, I worry about bone mets primarily - I know it's unusual for high blood calcium to indicate mets, but that's where my mind immediately goes.

    As far as the Vit D, I do spend a typical amount of time out-of-doors, and I only wear sunscreen when I plan to spend an extended period of time in the sun (like if I go to the beach).  I don't wear sunglasses, simply because my pair of sunglasses are too loose - I haven't worn them in months.  I know there's some kind of connection between low Vit D and BC, so I'm not sure what I need to do about it. 

    Ugh, I wish I just knew what this meant.  I have an appointment with my onc in less than a month, and he does bloodwork every visit, so I'm going to try to just relax about this until then.  Hopefully, it will show normal blood calcium at that time.

    I guess I wonder if some of the ladies who have been diagnosed with bone mets have experienced high blood calcium levels.  Can someone enlighten me? 

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited May 2011

    There are other things that can cause high calcium - there are many people on this board who have been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, for example. If you search on Vitamin D, you can find a number of lengthy topics on this.

    Actually, your Vitamin D level isn't that low (mine was 7 at diagnosis). 

    So, don't panic, this is almost normal. Honest. Not ideal, but do-able.

    Sue 

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  • 37antiques
    37antiques Member Posts: 643
    edited May 2011

    So glad you posted this txstardust!  I have the same thing, and of course your mind jumps to mets right off.  So here is what I was told on the boards (which are more reliable than any web browser)

    High calcium and high phosphorus can mean that your calcitrol (active form of D3) level is down.  Your body needs the D3 to stimulate the absorbsion of both calcium and phosphrus both in your GI tract and your renal organs.  You may also need your PTH (parathriod) levels checked as well.  All of these work together.

    That makes sense.  Having said that, my thyroid tests came back normal, And my mother has been giving me Vit D in massive doses everytime she sees me.  I didn't get my actual numbers on my tests, but my doctor said my D was almost nonexistant, and my calcium was High, Really High.  Add that to my serious pains, fatigue and wishy washy bone scan and what do ya have?  Another doctor appointment.  I'm going next week to my hematologist to see what helpful insight they can shed on this, after a few weeks of taking great whacking doses of prescribed Vit D and feeling no better.

    High calcium can also indicate bone mets, but it's not the first thing they check.  If you find out any more, I'd be grateful if you could let me know.

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    Thanks, Sue #1 - I'm not quite panicking, not yet anyway!

    Sue #2, good luck with your next appointment.  You keep me updated, and I'll do the same! 

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  • Anjanita
    Anjanita Member Posts: 252
    edited May 2011

    I had this problem when I had benign thyroid and parathyroid tumors.  With all due regard for  alternative methods, it's nothing to take lightly and I'd suggest you get a reference for an endocrinologist ASAP.

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  • 37antiques
    37antiques Member Posts: 643
    edited May 2011

    tx - I just saw this on the site.  It doesn't address the calcium level, but I found it interesting.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/new_research/20101004.jsp

    Another study said vitamin D and calcium levels did not reduce breast cancer, but this was not for recurrence or mets (not much is).

    However, I am hoping that it is not thyroid or parathyroid, because the radioactive material does increase risk a whopping 53% but that doesn't say if that is just lifetime risk or if it has anything to do with recurrence either, seems the 53% is if you have a thyroid issue first. 

    I might just be study crazed at the moment, because I want to know what is going on.  I read a study earlier that suggests my signature of ER+ PR+ Her2- means I am more likely to drink and be older, if that's not stereotypical, I don't know what is!

    Oh well, I see the hematologist on Wednesday, we'll see if he can shine a light on this.  I also need an ETT for Bradycardia, seems the heart damage has set in. Crappity Crap!

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  • sharalou
    sharalou Member Posts: 223
    edited May 2011

    Curious, why D3? I just noticed that's what I take, buy never realized it. What is the 3?  I am now taking 2,000 units daily. Mine dropped to 18.

    Shari 

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited March 2014

    I just had more bloodwork done that showed low Vitamin D again, so I went back here looking to see what it was the last time.  I see now that it was 23, but it just tested at 16!!  Even lower.  And the calcium is still at 10.7.  I'm not sure what to make of it.  Anyone have any idea what this means?

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