Get Blood Levels Checked For Vitamin D levels

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cinnamonsmiles
cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
edited June 2014 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

A  year ago, I went to see a neurologist who was horrible. My family doctor had repeated some of his information to me so I got all the labs and doctor's notes from him. It stated at my last appointment in April 2012 that he told my vitaimin D levels were low and that he put me on supplement. HE NEVER TOLD ME AND NEVER HAD ME ON A SUPPLEMENT. I didn't find this out til January 2013 when I got the medical records from him. My vitamin D level ran by that clinic reported a value of 6 for me which is extremely low. Normal range reported from my primary doctor's clinic has a normal range of 18-78.

My family doctor ran another battery of lab tests on me. A year later with no Vitamin D supplements ( I did change vitamins for women 50 yrs or older), my Vitamin D levels were 58 and normal.

It is good to take Vitamins and supplements, but we really need to get our blood levels checked periodically. I had been taking a Vitamin E supplement after my BMX. But found on my blood work that the levels were to high and that it isn't good for me with my other health conditions.

I just thought I would remind us that we need to get blood work done to check the levels so they aren't too high.

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  • CjPA
    CjPA Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2013

    Always good to check your labs numbers on supplements that can be tested.  My ONC would tell you your Vit D level is still too low.  Like you are started out with a Vit D level at 6 ( I'm a redhead and use sun screen by the gallons).  Normal low Vit D ranges now start at 30.  My ONC recommends Vit D levels to be 60 or higher and perfers 75 to 80 range for womwn that have had breast cancer.

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  • MaineCoonKitty
    MaineCoonKitty Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2013

    I just saw my oncologist yesterday for my 6 months check up.  Everything was good, except for my Vitamin D level, which was too low.  She's put me on a 5000 IU per day dosage, which surprised me because the standard safe upper level for dosage is 4000 IU.

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  • KiwiKate
    KiwiKate Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2013

    Yes, there is a lot of good info by Cedric Garland on you tube on this topic and how everyone should have vitamin d levels checked regularly and kept within a range to prevent Ca and prevent it coming back.  Seems like grassroots health are doing a massive promotion on this since a recent randomised trial came out and showed 70% less occurence of cancer.  They have started this promotion called d'action. 

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2013

    Does anyone know what the recommended Vit D blood level is for cancer preventation? And for bone health? Can anyone post a link to sources? (I googled but found more recommendations on daily IUs than blood levels).

    I had my blood Vit D level tested earlier this year and it was 36. The guidelines say the recommended range is 30-100. I take a total of 1800 Vit D D-3 (between the multi vitamin and the Vit D supplement) so I thought it might be higher. When I saw my ONC she said my level was fine, no need to increase the supplement.

    One source I read that taking too much Vit D can increase the calcium level in the blood (leach it from the bones?) in addition to toxicity issues, so I don't want to take more, willy-nilly. thanks for any info, esp. links.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    Here is some info.  My MO checked my D level right after chemo (it was in the teens) and advised supplementation.  My level has steadily climbed and is now in the normal range but I would like it to be higher than it is so I have continued to supplement.  I will have it tested again prior to my regular appt. with him next week.  The attached article says it should be over 70 if you are a BC survivor.

    http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/vitd3.html

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    Right after surgery, my Vitamin D levels were 22.  I spent a year on the "little green D2 pill" and my levels barely moved.  When my doctor told me to try over the counter D3, my levels reached 40 in less than 90 days.  I now take 4000+ units a day and my levels are around 57. 

    Great news about D lowering recurrence rates.

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2013

    Thanks SpecialK. I saw this line on the website: 

    Scientists from the Vitamin D Conferences recommend blood Vitamin D levels in the 70-85 range.

    Do you know what Conference they are talking about or any info on the source of their data? (I googled and nothing was obvious). I'm hoping to find some white papers on PubMed to understand the science behind it. (i.e. sometimes studies have a lot of patients; some don't; sometimes they look at post-meno women and I'm still pre-meno, etc). 

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  • grayeyes
    grayeyes Member Posts: 664
    edited June 2013

    My vitamin D level was 12 after chemo.  So, my oncologist prescribed prescription-strength Vitamin D.  I took only one pill per week, and that pill was a crazy amount of Vitamin D - something like 50,000 - in one pill.  I forget how high my D-level eventually rose; I think it reached the 70's.  At that point, I was told to take over-the-counter Vitamin D, and my D-level fell to the 30's, I think.  I have no idea what my D-level is now.  

    I take over-the-counter D3, which I've been hearing is more effective against cancer.  I don't know how true that advice is.  However, prescription Vit-D is always D2.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    peggy - it appears that the info in that article came from multiple sources, but the Vitamin D Council seems to be the gatherer of info.  Here is some info from their site and it looks like there are some citations at the bottom of the page.  Coincidentally, this organization is based in the small California town where I went to college!

    http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/breast-cancer/

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  • shinning_like_me
    shinning_like_me Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2013

    No no The power of the tablet depends on how low your Vitamin D count is.

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited June 2013

    Thanks for the link to the Vitamin D Council. I love the info on sunlight and Vitamin D. My levels fell on 2,000 IU of D3 per day. Now I take 4,000 IU and get out in the sun and this info has provided more detail. 

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2013

    SpecialK, thanks a lot for that link. Lots of references there. I plan to do my research and then discuss with my MO at my next appt. Thanks again!

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  • mumofone
    mumofone Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Thanks for the links :). I had blood taken last week to check my Vit D level - I will be interested to know the result. When I asked my doctor to do this, she kind of rolled her eyes a bit and mumbled something about it being 'trendy' at the moment!!! I don't think it's as accepted to investigate this here in the UK, at least that's my experience. Perhaps I give her the link to the Vit D Council webpage ;-)

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    mumofone,

    Perhaps your doctor will be open to an article from PubMed (NIH) from a European doctor.  Here's the link.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23700865

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  • mumofone
    mumofone Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    notself - thank you, that's a useful link. I'll print it out :).

    I'm learning to be bolder in asking for tests and treatments, no matter what my GP thinks. It's my body/health, after all!

    I'll pop back in with my result when I get it...

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    After showing abstracts from PubMed to my doctor, he now tests every patient over 60.  He told me 70% of them are deficient in Vitamin D!  I love my doctor because he listens to me and we can have a conversation about the pros and cons of any treatment I need or ideas I have.

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  • mumofone
    mumofone Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Finally my blood test results came back. I spoke to my doctor's secretary and apparently the results are 'normal' and 'at acceptable levels'. Hmm. I would like to know the numbers but she wouldn't tell me that - guess I have to make an appointment with my doctor. 

    notself, I like my doctor (she's a great listener) but she's not as open minded as yours. It would be great to find one who is prepared to step off the well worn track from time to time. You need to hang on to your doctor! :)

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    mumofone,

    I am surprised the nurse wouldn't give you the numbers over the phone.  It is, after all, your information.  Perhaps you could stop by your doctor's office and pick up a copy of your test results.  I do it whenever I have any tests.  If there is something in the results that I don't understand, then I make an appointment with the doctor to discuss it. 

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  • mumofone
    mumofone Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    notself, you are right, I need to ask for a copy. Are you in the UK? I've always found doctors aren't forthcoming with actual results but it's important to know the numbers, if only for future reference.

    I might be on the low end of the Vit D levels.

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    I'm not in the UK.  I'm in Arkansas, USA. 

    Here is some information on VitD3 levels. 

    The marker for vitamin D status is 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH)D], a metabolite of vitamin D3. A 25(OH)D level determines whether a person is deficient, sufficient, or toxic in vitamin D. At this time, there is not a consensus in medicine in what blood levels define these categories.

    The Vitamin D Council recommends maintaining serum levels of 50 ng/ml (equivalent to 125 nmol/L*), with the following reference ranges:

    • Deficient: 0-40 ng/ml (0-100 nmol/l)
    • Sufficient: 40-80 ng/ml (100-200 nmol/l)
    • High Normal: 80-100 ng/ml (200-250 nmol/l)
    • Undesirable: > 100 ng/ml (> 250 nmol/l)
    • Toxic: > 150 ng/ml (> 375 nmol/l)

    (*Note: 25(OH)D levels can also be defined in units of nmol/L. The conversion between the two is [nmol/L]=2.5*[ng/ml])  http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/further-topics/for-health-professionals-position-statement-on-supplementation-blood-levels-and-sun-exposure/

    There is going to be conference in the UK next Spring. http://www.qmul.ac.uk/vitamind/

    It is important to have suffecient intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium along with Vitamin D in order to prevent osteoporosis.  Check with your doctor on the appropriate supplements if needed.

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited June 2013

    Not self...where in Arkansas are you? I'm in Rogers. Just in the last 2 weeks have met 2 ladies on here from Lowell and Harrison! Small world!

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited June 2013

    How terrific! I'm in Mountain Home.  It appears that North Arkansas and the Ozarks are well represented.  Summer is here and it's starting to get really warm. Now my only gardening will be moving the sprinkler. 

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited June 2013

    Notself.....ok, maybe a get together is in order in the future! PM ing you my ph #. Sorry, didn't mean to derail the thread😉

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