VITAMIN D Checked - now megadosing

[Gina]

Hey, folks,

Have to smile about all the latest "hype" about Vitamin D--most of us OLD timers on this board have been taking it for years...but I just want to emphasize that the body is an entire bio-system and you may find that your blood levels of vitamin D get back to normal more quickly if you simply balance your intake of A with D--thereby having to take LESS D which is easier on the liver and kidneys, and possibly even more effective, faster. Also, remember that Vitamin A works best with adequate levels of zinc...for those of you who laughed about the Zinc oxide on the feet remedies of old...think again...smile.

Also, remember despite what the media says..ingest less synthetic calcium and MORE magnesium if you are her-2 positive...because no matter how much "mega dosing of calcium" you ingest, the body will only absorb an amount equal the balance of magnesium in your system--google it under Magnesium- Calcium homeostasis. Here again, mega dosing does little more than overtax other bio-systems...and in the case of her-2 folks...I always say "LESS IS MORE" as your body is stressed enough with her-2 mediated disease and constant herceptin and/or other treatments...

Her-2 gals are notorious for being low on magnesium...no need to take my word for it...check your own platelets...if they are under 300 possible mag deficit...not sleeping??, another possible mag deficit, craving chocolate??? cocoa is magnesium rich --your body is screaming for magnesium....constipated??? DEFINITE mag deficit...and you always wondered why they called it MILK of MAGNESIUM...smile... Why are epsom salts often prescribed in a warm bath before bedtime to induce a deep slumber??? Epsom salts are simply Magnesium sulfate??? Struggle with high blood pressure??? increase intake of magnesium rich foods.

Sorry, but I just had to add my two cents here--I have been seeing these recent posts and worrying that since Vitamin D, like Vitamin A, is oil soluable and can be damaging to the liver, I just didn't want folks to over do either.

Also, Steph, I had my Vitamin A and D levels measured back in 1999 just before starting Hercepin when I was first dx with the liver mets and both levels were horribly low...I think one Vitamin D at that time was 17. Also, note, that a true Vitamin A blood draw has to be done in a darkened room so as not to disintegrate the level in the special tube to give a true reading...that was a experience...when I asked the tech how was he going to hit the vein...he said...by feeling it...smile...he hit it just fine...although I swear...smile..I couldn't see a thing.

One reason I had my vitamin D levels checked was that for 10 years before I got cancer, I was one of the first folks to work in the at that time new underground S. Dillon Ripley Center of the Smithsonian. 4 of us who worked 3 floors under within the same department got cancer within months of each other. To my knowledge, I am the only one still living, but the underground work seemed to stand out as really the only risk factor for me and I find it even more interesting in light, pardon the pun, smile...of Lani's recent posting on the possible connection between her-2 and circadian rhythm genes. Very interesting... I wish we knew more.

Best of luck to all,
Gina
gpopp@Comcast.net
Original BC Dx 1997
Her-2 +++, ER- PR-
Herceptin only since 1999 Stage IV mets--6mg/kg every 3 weeks.

[Kim in CA]

After reading this thread a while back I finally decided to get tested. My results were 37.9 ng/ML, with the normal range being 32-100 according to Lab Corp. My oncologist was amazed because I am the only one of his patients tested so far that has been normal. I have been taking at least 1000 units a day for the last year but have decided to add another 1000 units a day after reading the studies, so I can hopefully bring my levels up closer to the higher end of normal. The only problem is my supplement list just keeps growing and growing and it gets hard to fit them all in! Still, I'm glad I wasn't any lower considering I've been on aromatase inhibitors (Femara)since 2002.

[Barbara2]

Peter Gott
Updated: 04/15/2009 01:50:23 AM PDT

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 70-year-old retired female nurse and an avid reader of your column. My health is good, and I take minimal medications — Xanax as needed, an antidepressant in the winter and daily vitamin and mineral supplements to include 5,000 international units of vitamin D.
This added vitamin D keeps my blood level at 54, which my doctor told me is good. When I was only getting 400 IU daily, it was below 30, so my doctor prescribed 10,000 IU daily for several months (until it was 50), at which point my dose was lowered.

I have enclosed some articles from different sources on the importance of vitamin D and hope that you will re-evaluate your position on the necessary amount of the essential vitamin.

Dear Reader: Thank you for including the information. My position on the amount of necessary vitamin D in the daily diet is directly related to various government sources that indicate 400 IU is adequate for healthy people. However, this does not mean that current research is incorrect.

As more studies are done, several sources have found that vitamin D deficiency is on the rise among infants, children, teens, adults and seniors. Further studies need to be done to determine why this is happening and what steps we can take to prevent future generations from developing this deficiency. Simply being outside for 15 minutes in the sun every day can provide dramatic results.

I do not recommend that people increase their vitamin D intake, but I can
encourage them to see their physicians to discuss the issue. A simple blood test may be all that is needed to determine whether a deficiency is present. If it is, supplementation may solve the problem, but a referral to an endocrinologist or other specialist may be advised to determine whether there is a more serious underlying cause.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to several problems, the most common of which is weak, brittle bones. This can lead to fractures, which can take a long time to heal because unhealthy bone does not heal as quickly or as well as normal bone. It has also been linked with thyroid disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, asthma, heart failure and more.

Several physicians who specialize in bone health have begun suggesting the recommended daily intake be increased to about 1,000 IU, which is more than double the standard. Until further studies have shown that this will benefit a majority of the population without serious side effects, I must stick to the old guidelines but am willing to change my opinion when more definitive results are available.