Vitamin D range...what is normal?

Special, Soy? I thought no soy!

I would imagine the amount is pretty minute - it is a component of one ingredient, and is fermented soy made from clean sources. I included that info in my post for those who might want to avoid it though

Thanks glennie. mysunshine48, yes I just started the Vit D3/K2 liquid combo yesterday. I believe when I checked for a brand I chose a K2 that was not soy, namely no natto (or so I thought). Of course, when I do my research my brain gets so confused so hopefully it is soy-free as I try to stay away from soy (but not to the point of driving myself crazy!)

Yes, changed it today to United Healthcare/The Villages. Can keep the same endocrinologist/nephrologist (diabetes), opthalmologist (retina) and MO, as my in-network specialists, but will have new PCP which is okay with me.

My oncologist checks my vitamin D level once a year, even though she does other blood tests every six months. She said the vitamin D level changes slowly. When first diagnosed I was at 11. Now 3+ years later, I'm at around 38. My oncologist thinks that as long as I'm in the 30s, I'm fine. However, my breast surgeon feels that I have room to go higher, so there is a difference of opinion. I've been taking 2000IUs daily for a long time now.

My Vit D was 12 and it has taken 3 years of 50,000 2 times a week to get it up to 30.  My system seems to be pretty resistant to it for some reason. 

It has taken me four + years to get my VitD to 46 and that is supplementing with 4000 units a day. My cousin ( a doc) says 50-70 would be better, but my onc is happy with 46. She tests it every month when I get my Xgeva shot so it must be pretty important in the onc's opinion.

I have a friend who has D levels at 100 which she thinks is because she eats salmon every day. She does not supplement obviously.

I have another friend who supplements 10,000 units a day and has never had his level tested. Not a good idea, imo.

WinningSoFar,,, 100 is really high. Huh,, wonder if there is some kind of endocrine thing going on, since your friend is not taking supplements. It is a fat soluble vitamin, so it is possible to get too much. I would be concerned with the friend taking 10,000 a day and not getting levels done.

For those who have trouble getting their levels up, I would suggest trying a different brand. Some brands are better than others,,, or you may absorb one brand better than another.. Just a thought.

So my MO pays close attention to my Vit D. Apparently she does find research that supports higher Vit D levels and less recurrence. I never had it tested before the dx, but she tests once a year now, and since I've been supplementing with appx. 4000 IU a day, via drops, it's always been right around 67. She told me not to take any more than that, because it can interfere with your blood calcium (make it high). She said if that's high, they begin to look for the baddie again, so it can result in more tests and anxiety.

I do live in No. Az and get regular sun exposure anyway, too. Usually about 30" a day because I was told that sun exposure is the best for increasing Vit D levels. Yes, I know about sunblock and skin cancer, but MO says 30" a day not during 10-2, is fine.

Claire

My levels were 26 and my oncologist has me on supplements due to the research indicating that those with lower levels of Vit D have a higher rate of recurrence. He said the bone health etc is important but secondary to the concern he has over the influence on recurrence.

My nutritionist has said to keep the Vit D level between 40 and 60, not higher. I have read elsewhere that for cancer it should be higher than 60. I need to take a lot of Vit. C. to keep my level above 40. Like 8000 units. I had some genetic testing done and found that I had the VDR gene - I am "vitamin D resistant" meaning that I don't make much of it from sun. (I also live in the north, and have mediterranean skin.) You need to have your levels checked regularly - because it is very individual as to how much you need. My oncologist told me not to take calcium - there are problems associated with calcium supplementation - not sure exactly what they are. Also - it is recommended that you take Vitamin K with the D - the Vitamin K allows calcium to go to your bones, not your arteries.

I think the concern with calcium has been heart and artery related. And I read a study that said supplementing with calcium did not preserve bone mass in women on AIs, nor does it prevent fractures. What are we to do, right? I was never good at taking it anyway so now I don't feel so guilty but I do take my vitamin D especially in the winter.

Sunny, I think your 50k/week may be Vit D2 which may work slower than Vit D3 that most of us are on.