Vitamin D deficiency

MAJW

Hello all you FANTASTIC WOMEN!

Here's some info I'd like to pass along and ask each of you about.......I read last week, a little blurb in a magazine, that there is NOW a possible link between BC and low vitamin D, just now coming to light as of late......How many of you KNOW for sure that you are deficient in Vitamin D? Did you ONLY discover this after being dx with bc? How many knew before? I had mine tested for the FIRST time in Jan.2008,and who knows how long it was so low REALLY LOW..... was put on 50,000 units for 6 weeks....Never followed up on it after that and did NOT take any supplements... DUH HERE.....had it retested before chemo during all the routine blood work and it was low again, now on my second go round of the 50,000 units for 6 weeks. I was dx in April, 2009 with NO FAMILY history and they (doctors) do not believe it is hereditary bc......I am really curious about this.....I want to know the CAUSE OF BC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not just how to cure it, I want to prevent my daughter or two young grand daughters from getting BC if possible........Could it be as simple, if not of the hereditary type, as LOW VITAMIN D?.....doubtful, but who knows......
I am going to question this BIG TIME come Monday when I have my appointment with my oncologist. And if I get enough responses to this, take the responses with me! If ya'll (yes, I'm Southern, not by birth though....giggle giggle)would mind asking your doctors if they have read up on this, I would appreciate it. AND AND AND.....have your vitamin D level checked........it can't hurt and just might PREVENT.....

Thank you, you wonderful, fantastic "SISTERS" I honor each and everyone of you! WE CAN FIGHT THIS AND FIND A CAUSE ALONG WITH A CURE!
Nancy

taleena

I was wondering why my onco
I was wondering why my onco was doing a blood test for vit. D... um.. you just answered that question.. that is very interesting.. .thanks for sharing..

Hugs,
~T

MyTurnNow

I was told by my oncologist
I was told by my oncologist to take Vitamin D3 along with Calcium every day. As a matter of fact, the radiologist at the hospital that did my needle biopsy also said to take Vitamin D3. She said that with everyone so protective of their skin nowadays with sunscreens that we aren't getting enough natural vitamin D from the sun. I take Vitamin D3 every day now. I haven't actually had mine checked but I do tend to avoid the sun. I think I will request to have my level checked. Thanks.

Cindy54

I'm There
in the count for vitamin D. I am low. All my labwork since the BC has showed low in vitamin D. And it was low before the BC. This is pretty interesting. But for me, I don't think it was just this to cause the breast cancer. I had my 2 aunts who had it. So with me, it would be a tough call. But this is an interesting thing. Cindy

phoenixrising

I have wracked my brains and
I have wracked my brains and read all the research this little pea brain could hold in order to understand what causes bc and my type in particular as it is the most common. In the end, they don't know and neither do I but there is much speculation. I had always taken Vit D in my multi vitamin and so I figured I was OK. BUT I moved from sunny Ontario to rainy west coast and although I worked outdoors I don't think the 400IU were enough. AND to complicate matters I've stumbled upon information that the Vit A in the multi inhibits the D which is needed for Calcium. Hmmmmmm. So I don't take a multi anymore and keep my A and D away from each other if I take them as supplements.

I already was taking 1000IU of Vit D for osteo but my onc said she was comfortable with me taking 2000IU. I have had it checked and I was just a little on the low side after months of the 1000IU.

I totally agree that we need to put far more $ and energy in finding a cause. It's just not acceptable that it's OK to go through this as long as they have a cure. Don't get me wrong, I think we need a cure for those that get it but if we found "cause" then we wouldn't need a cure. It's mind boggling that our prospective gov'ts sanction so many carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals (eg. our cosmetic industry is not even regulated) while complaining about health care $. Give me a break!!

Good luck to you on your search and let us know if you find anything interesting.

jan

BunnyJane

phoenixrising said:

I have wracked my brains and
I have wracked my brains and read all the research this little pea brain could hold in order to understand what causes bc and my type in particular as it is the most common. In the end, they don't know and neither do I but there is much speculation. I had always taken Vit D in my multi vitamin and so I figured I was OK. BUT I moved from sunny Ontario to rainy west coast and although I worked outdoors I don't think the 400IU were enough. AND to complicate matters I've stumbled upon information that the Vit A in the multi inhibits the D which is needed for Calcium. Hmmmmmm. So I don't take a multi anymore and keep my A and D away from each other if I take them as supplements.

I already was taking 1000IU of Vit D for osteo but my onc said she was comfortable with me taking 2000IU. I have had it checked and I was just a little on the low side after months of the 1000IU.

I totally agree that we need to put far more $ and energy in finding a cause. It's just not acceptable that it's OK to go through this as long as they have a cure. Don't get me wrong, I think we need a cure for those that get it but if we found "cause" then we wouldn't need a cure. It's mind boggling that our prospective gov'ts sanction so many carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals (eg. our cosmetic industry is not even regulated) while complaining about health care $. Give me a break!!

Good luck to you on your search and let us know if you find anything interesting.

jan

Vitamin D and Calcium
I've read a number of BC books since being diagnosed a few months ago. They all mention low Vitamin D and possibly calcium as being risk factors for BC. (Still wanting to know WHY I got 'this'!) Since deficiences of both vitamin D and calcium may lead to bone loss, this is something that we should be talking to our MDs about after we complete all of the other treatments! Jane

Jeanne D

BunnyJane said:

Vitamin D and Calcium
I've read a number of BC books since being diagnosed a few months ago. They all mention low Vitamin D and possibly calcium as being risk factors for BC. (Still wanting to know WHY I got 'this'!) Since deficiences of both vitamin D and calcium may lead to bone loss, this is something that we should be talking to our MDs about after we complete all of the other treatments! Jane

Vitamin D
When I had my first meeting with my oncologist, before surgery and everything, he requested a blood workup and checking for a Vitamin D deficiency was one of things he was looking for. I was fine and didn't need any supplement.

Love, Jeanne ♥

Noel

Jeanne D said:

Vitamin D
When I had my first meeting with my oncologist, before surgery and everything, he requested a blood workup and checking for a Vitamin D deficiency was one of things he was looking for. I was fine and didn't need any supplement.

Love, Jeanne ♥

I am low
My onco gave me the blood test and I was low, so, I am on a prescription Vit D now. I hope everyone gets theirs checked.


♠♥ Noel ♠♥

mmontero38

My levels were also very low
My levels were also very low after going through chemo so, my doctor put me on 50,000 iu of vit d once a week. It took a long time for my levels to go up and they finally did. Now, I take 2,000 iu daily and 1200 mg of calcium. Hugs, Lili

MAJW

phoenixrising said:

I have wracked my brains and
I have wracked my brains and read all the research this little pea brain could hold in order to understand what causes bc and my type in particular as it is the most common. In the end, they don't know and neither do I but there is much speculation. I had always taken Vit D in my multi vitamin and so I figured I was OK. BUT I moved from sunny Ontario to rainy west coast and although I worked outdoors I don't think the 400IU were enough. AND to complicate matters I've stumbled upon information that the Vit A in the multi inhibits the D which is needed for Calcium. Hmmmmmm. So I don't take a multi anymore and keep my A and D away from each other if I take them as supplements.

I already was taking 1000IU of Vit D for osteo but my onc said she was comfortable with me taking 2000IU. I have had it checked and I was just a little on the low side after months of the 1000IU.

I totally agree that we need to put far more $ and energy in finding a cause. It's just not acceptable that it's OK to go through this as long as they have a cure. Don't get me wrong, I think we need a cure for those that get it but if we found "cause" then we wouldn't need a cure. It's mind boggling that our prospective gov'ts sanction so many carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals (eg. our cosmetic industry is not even regulated) while complaining about health care $. Give me a break!!

Good luck to you on your search and let us know if you find anything interesting.

jan

AMEN
AMEN JAN! I, too, think and think and think about what could cause BC..And yes, hank God we have treatments to cure us, but I still can't help but think about the CAUSES....I have thought of hair dye, makeup and and as you said these aren't regulated......My little pea brain will continue the search also.....who knows?
Nancy

MAJW

phoenixrising said:

I have wracked my brains and
I have wracked my brains and read all the research this little pea brain could hold in order to understand what causes bc and my type in particular as it is the most common. In the end, they don't know and neither do I but there is much speculation. I had always taken Vit D in my multi vitamin and so I figured I was OK. BUT I moved from sunny Ontario to rainy west coast and although I worked outdoors I don't think the 400IU were enough. AND to complicate matters I've stumbled upon information that the Vit A in the multi inhibits the D which is needed for Calcium. Hmmmmmm. So I don't take a multi anymore and keep my A and D away from each other if I take them as supplements.

I already was taking 1000IU of Vit D for osteo but my onc said she was comfortable with me taking 2000IU. I have had it checked and I was just a little on the low side after months of the 1000IU.

I totally agree that we need to put far more $ and energy in finding a cause. It's just not acceptable that it's OK to go through this as long as they have a cure. Don't get me wrong, I think we need a cure for those that get it but if we found "cause" then we wouldn't need a cure. It's mind boggling that our prospective gov'ts sanction so many carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals (eg. our cosmetic industry is not even regulated) while complaining about health care $. Give me a break!!

Good luck to you on your search and let us know if you find anything interesting.

jan

AMEN
AMEN JAN! I, too, think and think and think about what could cause BC..And yes, hank God we have treatments to cure us, but I still can't help but think about the CAUSES....I have thought of hair dye, makeup and and as you said these aren't regulated......My little pea brain will continue the search also.....who knows?
Nancy

Jadie

Hi Nancy
I am a 6 yr survivor and have been out of treatment for 5 yrs. A few months ago I was told for the first time that my vitaman D level was very low. I am on the third round of 50,000 units for six weeks. I don't know if he has always checked it or not. A question I will ask when I see him again. He also started me on an infusion of zometa every six months. He says that they are keeping the bones as healthy as possible because they think it will help with bone mets.

Seems like a lot of info about vitamin D, zometa etc. have been on the rise of lately. Makes you wonder dosen't it?

Jadie<3

Alexis F

Jadie said:

Hi Nancy
I am a 6 yr survivor and have been out of treatment for 5 yrs. A few months ago I was told for the first time that my vitaman D level was very low. I am on the third round of 50,000 units for six weeks. I don't know if he has always checked it or not. A question I will ask when I see him again. He also started me on an infusion of zometa every six months. He says that they are keeping the bones as healthy as possible because they think it will help with bone mets.

Seems like a lot of info about vitamin D, zometa etc. have been on the rise of lately. Makes you wonder dosen't it?

Jadie<3</p>

There has been a lot of talk
There has been a lot of talk lately about Zometa. I think Mimi posted something on here about it. Maybe she will repost it.

Hugs Lex♥

cats_toy

Vitamin D
funny, my onc never had my D tested, but when my fingers started swelling she did send me to the RA doc because my mom has that. He tested my D levels along with other things, ruled out RA and Fibro (thank God), but said my D levels were about a 4, too too low. Put me on a 50,000 dose, one a week, but also said 15 minutes of sun a day (no more) will give you the best D at the fastest rate, they did test my levels again before surgery, but haven't gotten the results yet to see how well they are now.
But yes, D they say affects BC, RA, Fibro and some other cancers, so it has become something lately that the docs are now checking.,
=^..^=

sausageroll

cats_toy said:

Vitamin D
funny, my onc never had my D tested, but when my fingers started swelling she did send me to the RA doc because my mom has that. He tested my D levels along with other things, ruled out RA and Fibro (thank God), but said my D levels were about a 4, too too low. Put me on a 50,000 dose, one a week, but also said 15 minutes of sun a day (no more) will give you the best D at the fastest rate, they did test my levels again before surgery, but haven't gotten the results yet to see how well they are now.
But yes, D they say affects BC, RA, Fibro and some other cancers, so it has become something lately that the docs are now checking.,
=^..^=

Only tested afterwards
I was checked for Vitamin D by my diabetic doctor long after diagnosis with BC. i am now on industrial doses. it has also been shown that men should have 1.000 units a day and that all of us should have at least 15 mins in the sun a day without sunscreen.

Moopy23

Vitamin D
Nancy,

My radiation oncologist tested my Vit D levels and found it to be 30, with 30 to 100 being normal range. She advised me to take 1000IU of D3 each day along with a calcium plus D supplement.

Re Zometa: I again asked my medical oncologist about giving me Zometa. (Note that my bone density is good.) She point blank said if she thought Zometa would help me, she would give it to me. If I insist, she shrugged, she can prescribe it for me and I can pay an arm and a leg for it. Joe and I decided to keep our money.

By the way, both she and her husband are oncologists. They practice together, so I view her advice as coming from two experienced specialists in the field.

mimivac

Vitamin D
Yes, I too have been reading lately about the link between Vitamin D and cancer. After asking my doctor, she tested my levels and they were too low (25). I will also be on a high dose prescription soon. I want to do anything to reduce my chances of this coming back, so I'm happy I got tested. As for Zometa, I started it this month. Doctors differ on this, but my onc. is a believer in it and thinks it's reasonable for me to take it. I did get some side effects after my first infusion, but they should not appear again. It's only once every 6 months for 3.5 years. I might have to pay out of pocket for it, too. Yikes.

Alexis F

mimivac said:

Vitamin D
Yes, I too have been reading lately about the link between Vitamin D and cancer. After asking my doctor, she tested my levels and they were too low (25). I will also be on a high dose prescription soon. I want to do anything to reduce my chances of this coming back, so I'm happy I got tested. As for Zometa, I started it this month. Doctors differ on this, but my onc. is a believer in it and thinks it's reasonable for me to take it. I did get some side effects after my first infusion, but they should not appear again. It's only once every 6 months for 3.5 years. I might have to pay out of pocket for it, too. Yikes.

Zometa, how expensive?
I love your posts Mimi. You are so smart and have so much knowledge about everything! Zometa is being talked about on other posts too. And, I love your new pic! You are so pretty!

Hugs,Lex

cabbott

My test
I had over a year or two of foot pain on Aromasin when the nurse practioner suggested I get my vitamin D tested. I was SURE I wasn't low because I drank 3 to 4 glasses of milk with D, took calcium with D supplements, and took a One a Day with D. I was low enough to need prescription Vitamin D. Within two weeks the foot pain was gone. She recommended that I go on the D-3 gel tabs with fish oil from the health food store. I take 2 1000 unit tabs every other day and no more foot pain. When I forget for a week, the pain comes back. Don't be surprised at the low test. The general population (not just cancer patients) tends to be low too. Vitamin D fights inflamation, so it is helpful in preventing cancer, arthritis, and other inflamatory conditions.

C. Abbott

peggypeggy

MAJW
i just had my vitiam d tested it was normal it was 40 normal starts 30but i takea choclate viactic 2 times daily they taste like candy they come in all flavors gl hope you are well luv peg this is 1000 vitiam d 1000 calcium 80 vitiamin k and they are so good

cats_toy

Vitamin D
I put the top down in the car everyday going home from work. It is approx 15 minutes, and that gives me my daily dose, it also allows me to drive with the wind in my hair (which is still short, but there to be blown about), and enjoy the weather!
Good days
=^..^=