Vitamin D range...what is normal?

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tangandchris
tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
edited January 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Can someone help me with some lab results I just saw online...I don't know what the normal range is. The top number seems to fall into the normal range according to the 25.0-80.0, but I don't know what the other 2 mean and I've read conflicting info on this. Anyway, just looking for some insight. thanks

Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy measurement(Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy)26.3 ng/mL(Vitamin D, 25-OH, D2)<4.0(Vitamin D, 25-OH, D3)26.3 ng/mL

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited October 2015

    I have 3 different types on this test...one says 26 and the other says <4 both sound low :(

    thanks for your answer btw

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2015

    The first and the third are measuring the same thing (your D3 levels) and have the same number value. The second is for D2 (the plant based Vit. D) and would be expected to be a lot lower than your D3 number. You can add the two numbers together for your total Vit. D result, so in your case a 30.

    While 30 is in what is currently considered "normal" range, many on these threads wish to get closer to 50, or between 50-80 because there is some kind of link (some kind of unknown correlation) between BC and low levels of Vit. D. For this reason, you may want to do more reading about it and decide if you would like to use supplements to raise your level.


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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    I'm not 100% sure (but about 90% sure) but I think the 25-hydroxy vitamin d is the important one. A level of 20 to 50 nanograms/ml. is the adequate range. I've been told it can be as low as 12 and still be normal if you're getting adequate sunlight, though I think that's probably a tad low for someone with cancer. My doctor also agrees with Jo-5. Mega dosing is a really bad idea. This is just my own opinion, but I would not supplement with a 26.3 25-hydroxy reading, but everyone's opinon probably differs, as do the opinions of doctors' probably.

    Eta: I'm basing this on someone who's blood calcium levels are in the normal range (i.e. no bone mets). That's where it would get a little trickier. Still trying to figure that one out.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited October 2015
    What is considered "mega dosing"?
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  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited October 2015

    I don't know what mega dosing is but I know that vitamin D gets stored in the body.  Too much vitamin D is bad for a person.  However, if someone has low levels of vitamin D then they may need to take a high dose of vitamin D.  I have read that one should always take magnesium with vitamin D.

    Can you ask your doctor about your levels?

    Good luck.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2015

    tangandchris, you have gotten some conflicting responses and it is no wonder because the various agencies are not in agreement either.

    Here's a handy chart:

    image


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Thanks elimar. You are correct, the responses were all over the place. Even with the chart our doctors still cannot agree and many of our MO's don't know where our Vit D3 level should be. I had one PCP and MO who thought my 32 was "normal" but my new ones want me to be and stay above 50. I think that even with mega doses (whatever someone decides 'mega' means) it is really difficult to get at or above the Toxic level shown above but the chart is useful.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    Just so we're all on the same page and aware of what, or should I say who, the "Vitamin D Council" is. Sounds a lot more important and prestigious than it is. Just some psychiatrist's/zoologist's hypothesis.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cannell


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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited October 2015

    I see MO on Monday and can ask him then, I just wanted to run it by everyone is see if it was just me that was getting conflicting info. I've seen bits and pieces about how Vit D deficiency can be a problem for cancer patients so it alarmed me a bit to see my results. I recently switched to this new MO and he's been much more thorough than my original and this is the first time I've had tests done for Vit D.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2015

    My understanding is that the normal body can't absorb more than 4,000iu a day, which is a pretty stiff dose. Here is some good info regarding Vitamin D:

    https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthP...

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2015
    When my levels were quite low a few years ago (ie, under 20) I was put on rx doses of 50k iu once a week. since my levels did come up to about 50, it would apperception that I was absorbing and utilizing that amount.
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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited October 2015

    it's D3 that's in short supply. Your body can't make enough of it from other sources. Mine was tested to help with my fibro years ago. It was 17, and I'm in Florida. Normal values depend on the lab doing the testing. I take 5000 daily.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Hopeful82014, that 50k weekly was probably Vit D2, not Vit D3. Interesting that you reached 50 because comments elsewhere (other, older, threads) had some reporting no success in raising their D with the weekly Vit D2 shots. Because of that many of us passed up doing the weekly 50K of Vit D2 in favor of OTC Vit D3 supplements. Like Spookiesmon, for at least a year I have been taking 5000 daily of liquid Vit D3. Having blood work next week and hopefully I'm above the 38 last tested. Since I'm now in Florida I may cut back but will still stay at least at 2500 daily.

    Again, answers to how much is good or too much or even necessary at all, is all over the place, good, bad, indifferent.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    Mary625, I'm not sure if you were asking me or not, but I'll give my two cents. To me, and again, Jmho, mega-dosing would be taking anything over what is required to have levels in the normal range. Very subjective but if you're getting at least 15-20 minutes of midday sun with most of your skin exposed (no sunscreen wearing shorts and a tank, for instance) and are otherwise healthy, I think swallowing extra would be mega-dosing. All kinds of variables though, like skin color, age, geographic location etc. are a consideration. I would definitely supplement in the winter, but like someone else mentioned above, no where near some of the doses I've read on these boards on occasion. Having said that, I have substantial bone mets and I'm trying really hard not to have my kidney fail. Too much, I would think, but not really sure (just my opinion), would have a detrimental effect on the kidneys because of the hypercalcimia that comes with those mets. I suppose maybe that's why the required amounts are all over the place....skin color, age, location, and most importantly, overall health. That last one being the biggest factor of what's good for some not being good for everyone. It really shouldn't be complicated, but because of all these variables in how it is absorbed and metabolized, D is the one that can't be a "one size fits all".

    Jo-5, I think summed it up best. "normal is normal", which is different for everyone. D is kind of unique.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Well said leggo, 'all the variables'. I know there are different opinions for many things but this D is crazy. Just why is it so unique over 'C' or 'K' or 'E', etc., and why can't they figure out what is "normal" or a normal range, or whether a higher range is better for cancer patients, or... Annoying more than anything else. I will try and remember to discuss with my PCP next visit as he is internal medicine with sub-specialties in nephrology and endocrinology. Should know something or other!


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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2015

    Pattoo, these were prescription capsules of D3 - rather huge but effective. I think I took them 1X per week for about 6 weeks.

    In the northern realms of the US, it's hard to get enough sun to generate sufficient D3, except in the summer, and even then it can be iffy.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited October 2015

    Patoo, I really look forward to hearing what your PCP has to say and for my own selfish reasons, particularly what he says with his expertise in nephrology. I'll watch this thread for an update. Appreciate that you'll be asking and hopefully, sharing if you find out something important. Thank you!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Will do leggo.

    Hope, yes, I'm from NJ so know about lack of sunshine. Now in FL I am spending lots of time outdoors and even bought a convertible so my top is down lots too. Hopefully my D levels will be good enough with that and some supplementation to ward off recurrence if indeed it helps with that at all.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2015

    Patool - did you get a prescription for the convertible so you can deduct it? ;)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    Now you tell me! I'll ask my MO if he will back date it but then I got the car before I first met him so guess that won't work. Phooey.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2015

    Guess you'll just have to have him write an RX now and trade in this one for a new convertible, Patoo. ;)


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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited November 2015

    Hopeful, my PCP had me take those mega 50K unit Vitamin D capsules too. I h ad to take it three times, two weeks apart each time taking it. My levels never got back to "normal range" by that chart but my doctor was happy with my 37 reading.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    april485, did you just do the 50k for a few weeks and then stop? Are you still supplementing with OTC Vit D? Just asking as I've always wondered if after taking the 50K (for those who got it) did the reading go back down if tested a few months later. I have to remember to ask for Vit D test to be added each time a doc orders bloodwork (every 6 months). They, or mine at least, do not order it routinely. I guess they don't think it has anything to do with preventing recurrence.

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited November 2015

    http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-11-vitamin-d-su...

    One more study on the topic that was just published.......

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Thanks besa. As usual, they talk about supplementation being necessary, but not how much.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited November 2015

    I have been taking 2,000 units D3 daily since diagnosis in 2013. My level at diagnosis was 30 and last check at the beginning of 2015 was 46. My MO told me to double the dose to 4,000 when I saw her two weeks ago. My understanding is, the increase she recommends is an attempt to help maintain bone density without more drugs. I am on AI and I am not taking calcium supplements.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    muska, interesting she would double your D3 but not recommend calcium as well as arimidex may weaken the bones so calcium would normally be advised along with the D3. But maybe she feels you are getting enough calcium through your diet. Who knows. The purported "standard of care" is not very "standard" at all!

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited November 2015


    I have been reading that plant based calcium is superior to the regular calcium sold everywhere. Anyone else know about this? I went to GNC snd they did not sell plant based. I do know it is a lot more expensive.

    Geeezzzz, who knows whst to take. I do know that Vitamin D levels should be between 70 and 100 with a blood test and most of the time you hsve to ask (insist) for this to be included in your bloodwork.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    mysunshine48, I think almost anything plant-based would be best as it is natural but sometimes you cannot get enough that way. Maybe I'm misunderstanding because I'm thinking plant-based would not be in a pill/supplement? If it's a supplement isn't it processed somehow? I'm probably overthinking. Did you try and google it?

    Vit D levels are still in question by many, PCP and MO's alike. My old PCP thought my 32 was "normal" and maybe it is for the general population but not those of us with BC? I did forget to tell my new PCP and MO to add Vit D test to my recent bloodwork so will have to wait until my next one in 4 months. Since I'm now back to Vit D supplements regularly (was hit and miss) and getting plenty of sunshine here in FL, hopefully the number will be up by then.

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited November 2015


    There are a few plant based Calcium products - pill form, but they are expensive. I just stopped home for lunch and need to go out again now, but will look this up when I get back and will post. All this drives me crazy!

    Have you started the liquid D3 and K2? I just bought some K2 tablets since I still have a full bottle of D3. Sounds like we are talking in some kind of code!


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