Low Vitamin D

I use Vit D drops, 4000 IU.  But consider that the best way to get Vit D is sunlight exposure (not too much!) 30 min a day if you can. I live in a relatively sunny part of the state so I can usually get this amount. Helps with my mood, too.

At my experience, your D3 levels are really low. I‘ve had 37 and it was said BC ladies should have it 60-80. I have a sunny balcony, was taking sun bath every day at midday, without sun crème, only 15 minutes each site.In 9 months  my levels raised from 37 to 72 without medicine. Now I'm still taking 1000 units per day to retain the state in winter.

So much my information!

Best

It is important for everyone to get Vitamin D, and especially important for those with BC.  A couple of points:  

If you live in the northern US, you dont get much Vit D from sun exposure, even in the sun.  If the sun is not high in the sky, there is too much atmosphere and the rays won't effect vitamin D production.  There may only be 3-4 months in the northern states, when sun exposure will make any Vit D.  

 The RDA for Vit D was 400 units a day, which is the amount you need to take to prevent rickets.  A couple of years ago it was raised to 1000 units.  If you live in the northern climes, this is still not enough.  I find that it takes about 2000units a day for most people in the northern climes to have a level over 32.  

If you have a very low level, you might consider taking 4-5000 units daily for 3-4 weeks to correct your level.  After that 2000 units a day.  You can have your level checked periodically to see that you are on track.  Getting your level up to 60 or more is a good idea.   

I was told that even in AZ the sun is only high enough during the winter to stimulate vitamin D production at noon!

My PCP took the blood test for vitamin D, unrelated to BC, he took it because I was getting pain in my neck and shoulders...related to bone issues, i guess.  My MO had refused to take that test on me, I don't know why. Anyway, the PCP took it, and it is 55.  I have been taking 1000iu plus what is in my multi.  I just raised it to 2000iu because of the info I have been reading.  It is interesting that the PCP took the test on me but not the MO.

The NIH guidelines seem to indicate 40 - 60 is optimal, with rates over 60 being potentially problematic for other kinds of cancer, like pancreatic.

Here is the research on rates over 60.

The following suggests going easy on Vit D above 4000IU/day (NIH study)

Long-term intakes above the UL increase the risk of adverse health effects [1] (Table 4). Most reports suggest a toxicity threshold for vitamin D of 10,000 to 40,000 IU/day and serum 25(OH)D levels of 500–600 nmol/L (200–240 ng/mL). While symptoms of toxicity are unlikely at daily intakes below 10,000 IU/day, the FNB pointed to emerging science from national survey data, observational studies, and clinical trials suggesting that even lower vitamin D intakes and serum 25(OH)D levels might have adverse health effects over time. The FNB concluded that serum 25(OH)D levels above approximately 125–150 nmol/L (50–60 ng/mL) should be avoided, as even lower serum levels (approximately 75–120 nmol/L or 30–48 ng/mL) are associated with increases in all-cause mortality, greater risk of cancer at some sites like the pancreas, greater risk of cardiovascular events, and more falls and fractures among the elderly. The FNB committee cited research which found that vitamin D intakes of 5,000 IU/day achieved serum 25(OH)D concentrations between 100–150 nmol/L (40–60 ng/mL), but no greater. Applying an uncertainty factor of 20% to this intake value gave a UL of 4,000 IU which the FNB applied to children aged 9 and older, with corresponding lower amounts for younger children.

I'm still shooting for 80. Can you provide a link to that study so that I can read it?

I am also diabetic. A study come out recently that said that checking fasting blood glucose numbers in the morning didn't help you control your diabetes, but what they DIDN'T tell you is that they only let people check it twice a week and didn't let people check at any other time. Duh? How are you going to be able to possibly control your glucose levels if you don't know what they are??

Not saying that your NIH story is false, just that I'm now a huge skeptic about these things unless I can read them myself.

I have been reading some cautions about too much vitamin D.  So, I am thinking these high doses, should be monitered.  I have read side effects to include cardio issues to pancreatic cancer...etc.  I say great, as long as you are tested often.  I am going to take 2000iu a day and get tested in 6 months. 

Check sunflower oil, I think it is also a problem for E+.  I read that somewhere????  Will someone please write a book about all this?

My Onc wants my level over 70.  It was 38 seven months ago and 48 one month ago - I'm currently taking a Calcium tablet with Vit D + 3 extra Vit D tablets. Add that to the Tamoxifen and Thyroxine (had a thyroidectomy 5 years ago due to a benign tumour), and I'm rattling every day - much like all of you ladies I expect. 'A tablet for this, and another tablet to counteract the SE of that' - the joys of it all !!

Amazing how inconsistent all the feedback we get is!  My naturapath says over 60.  My oncologist says between 35 and 60, no higher, per the NIH study I posted here earlier.