Anyone ever taken 50,000 IU vitamin D?

TraciInLA

My oncologist's office just called, and my most recent bloodwork showed that my vitamin D levels are a little low.  He's been monitoring my vitamin D as part of my routine bloodwork for about 6 months now, and my levels have been fine.  He's had me on 1000 IU/day just as a precaution, but is now prescribing 1 50,000 IU capsule per week.

I'm a little freaked out -- I've been faithfully taking my 1000 IU/day pill, and drink milk every day, though I do avoid the sun.  I know I could have so much bigger problems, but it's just One More Thing I have to do, thanks to Cancer, The Gift That Keeps On Giving. 

(Yes, I'm having just a little pity party over this. )

Has anyone else ever taken 50,000 IU vitamin D?  That just seems like a lot to slam into your system at one time -- any idea what side effects I might expect?

Thanks for listening, and any advice.

Traci

VickiSam

Funny you mention Vitiam D .. I too,

had my yearly check up (My Oncologist retiring in June) .. my Vitiam D down as well ... I recall you and I went they chemotherapy about the same time -- Now celebrating 3 years plus ...of remission // just wondering if this -Vitiam D deficiency -- associated with our chemotherapy.

i am taking 5000 vit d daily .. 

sorry no help to you .. 

happy you doing  well- Miss Traci!!  Trace and kids good ?

Vicki Sam 

 

Double Whammy

I did

Somewhere I've posted this before.  I was low prior to cancer and could never remember to take the supplement and sort of poo-pooed the whole notion.  I paid attention after diagnosis, but OTC D was just not bringing levels up (I think I was taking 4000 IUs), so I took 50,000 IUs for whatever amount of time I was supposed to.  My levels went up and I went back on OTC tablets - maybe 2000 IUs.  Back down my levels went again.  At some point, my oncologist said that while there was no science behind it, sometimes the liquid is absorbed better and to try that.  So I did.  Up my levels went.  Then CVS stopped carrying liquid and I couldn't find it anywhere else.  One early morning with insomnia, I saw an infomercial for a spray (Bio D it was called - infomercials can sell you anything).  I ordered it.  It was absolutely wonderful.  Then they stopped making that.  I found some liquid at Whole Foods.  It did not work at all.  Go figure.  NP said some of their patients have done well on Seeking Health brand sold on Amazon.  So I ordered it and it is amazing for me.  In fact, I was getting near toxic levels and figured I was taking too much,  so I am currently taking only 1-2 drops per day (2000-4000 IU).  I will have levels checked again in April and report back then.  Here is the link to the drops:  https://www.amazon.com/Servings-Physician-Formulated-Seeking-Health/dp/B003800UXG/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482455199&sr=8-5&keywords=vitamin+d+drops.  After you complete the megadoses, ask your doc about these drops and amount recommended.  Having tried so many different delivery systems, I can tell you without a doubt that these work for me.  Go figure. 

Suzanne

TraciInLA

Adventures in Vitamin D Land

WOW, Suzanne -- you've had quite the Adventures in Vitamin D Land!  Thank you for sharing this info with me -- it may really help down the road, depending on how I respond to the pills, and how happy (or not) my oncologist is at my next visit.

I picked up my prescription this afternoon -- I only had to pay $1.62 for a month's supply, which I decided was a good omen.  And I was worried they'd be horse pills that I'd have no chance of swallowing, but they're reasonably-sized capsules.  And the very kind pharmacist reassured me that this dosage of vitamin D is very well tolerated, and she doesn't normally see side effects from it.

So I'll take my first pill tomorrow morning with breakfast, choose to have faith in Very Kind Pharmacist, and hope for the best!

Traci

camul

Teach,

I have been taking it once a week since

2009.  I pay 15. for around 16 at cost co.  my copay a/ins is 20. For 4.  Suppose to strengthen my bones.

Happy Holidays 

Carol

MizPeep

50,000 IU vitamin D

I take 5 capsules of 10,000 IU (from vitamin shoppe) every Saturday and have for months. Prior to that I was taking a lot less but my vitamin D was always "too low." No problem in taking it.

Wish you the best - Pati

Kathysuej

I have heard....

I've heard that if you're vitamin D deficient then you are more at risk for breast cancer. Anyone know if that's true? I only ask cuz about 2 years ago my bloodwork came back that I was low. I started taking a supplement, but would forget to take it regularly. Now I have breast cancer. Just wondering if there's a link there??? I did hear that from somewhere before, but not sure it was a reliable sorce  

Apaugh

Salty tastes.

2 wks ago doc put me on high dose calcium and Vit. D.  The herceptin has been every 3 wks and he added the anti hormone pill (spell) for 5 yrs.  This week I have been experiencing salty taste in my mouth.  I brush, I rinse all the time, it just comes back.  Food is salty to me as well.  I wondered if any of you above experienced this and what could be the cause?  Still in misery w/ hot flashes too.

Lightenupandlaugh

Vitamin d

Years before being diagnosed IDC this past September, I have been taking  vitamin  d 50000. Im supposed to take 6 a month, and being a fat soluable vitamin, D should be taken with fat (my doctor only mentioned this after I was on it a year without raising levels. he said take with spoonful of olive oil. I opt for glass of milk instead) 

I also read somewhere low d and her2 positive correlation, but couldn't find the article again.

 

 

Callie Dulaney

Vitamin D

Have taken the 50,000 at several times in my life.  Then maintained on 3,000 daily.  No noticeable difference.  It is very important to keep D levels up as many of our meds leech vitamins from our bones.  I'm faithful with it now.  5 months post radiaytion/lumpectomy.

 

Kiki2016

I have taken 50,000 too

my vitamin d was low too and was prescribed 50,000 vitamin d for about 6 months.   That helped get my vitamin d level back on track. Now I'm on 5,000 Mon thru Fri and maintaining in the normal range.  50,000 is the common prescription level and know others who have had it.  It's meant for short term use to boost your system so would try not to worry.

 

good luck

Mariangel43

Hi, ladies, I have been

Hi, ladies, I have been diagnosed with Chondromalacia and small fracture of the knee recently.  In spite of having 10,000 IUs of Vit D3 weekly, the fracture is due to lack of Vit D3.  I started searching the Internet and  decided to increase my Vit D3 level all by myself.  Only my GP takes into account its level and not very regularly. The orthopedic surgeon told me that I was a candidate to knee replacement (which I didn't like).  

There were interesting videos and articles on Vit D3.  At least you must take 15 minutes of sun a day to activate the Vit D3 in your bodies.  And yes, when our bodies are depleted of Vit D3, cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions may appear.  This vitamin is a hormone that help control cell growth and maturation as well as other functions.  One of the videos showed that D3 bonds with a cell; if the cell is altered, Vit D3 sends a message to the cell to be reprogrammed to a "good state".  If the cell cannot be reverted to a nonmalignant state, D3 sends a message of autodestruction to the cell.  So, yes, D3 does that.  

disneyfan2008

i was told this week to up

i was told this week to up mine to 1,000 daily.

 

Rague

35,000. IU Vit. D weekly

I take 5,000 IU Vit. D daily per my PA''s recommendation. (Sometimes more during bad winters.)   I also use my light box for at least an hour daily when weather does not allow getting outdoors for sun - basically Sept. - May most days.

I've dealt with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) for about 20 yrs and that's what I need to do to keep it 'under control.

Vit. D is so important for so many functions within body - Mental Health being a very important one.  Unfortunately, because of,the life styles most live today without supplimenting it majorly, they are deficient.

Winyan - The Power Within

 

tanstaafl

big D

I hope I'm not intruding here, I stumbled onto this thread doing my searches.  We have had some vitamin D3 related consults and real life experience that might be useful. 

My wife is a 7.7 year, stage 4b colon cancer survivor with some bad sites and markers.  In our quest to optimize immunochemo action for her (chemo=5FU-LV), she has averaged 20,000 iu - 60,000 iu vitamin D3 per day for over 7 years (~two week averages).   No problems, some apparent benefits on mets, bone density and tooth decay on chemo. 

We consulted Dr J.J. Prendergast, an endocrinologist and researcher previously associated with Stanford and UCSF who had a lot of successful experience administering high dose vitamin D3 for diabetes,  some heart disease, and some desperate cancer cases.  We did this interview in concert with our internal medicine MD (paid education) to clear the way for high dose vit D3,  50,000 iu - up to 100,000 iu per day if needed.  This was after confronting some inoperable mets in 2011 leftover from diagnosis a year earlier; we finally got a successful surgery done.  Dr Prendergast is now retired in his 80s but has his videos on the internet.  We've had some unusual successes with some colon cancer mets after the increased D3 and K2 dosage and no problems. Even our radiologist was impressed by some of the liver masses finally dissolving.   Dr Joe reviewed the last century of high dose vitamin D  work, some modern research findings, and recomended adjuncts with high dose D3.  Researchers at the U of Wisconsin in the 1930s successfully used vitamin D treatments at  over 200,000 iu per day(!) without serious problems, for several years when published. High calcium levels are the major risk of toxicity with high dose vitamin D. He increased magnesium and menatetrenone (the natural human transport form of vitamin K2) to control calcium toxicity, and restricted calcium supplement content to incidental amounts under 250 mg per day.    

We check blood calcium levels in each blood draw, although this is more frequent than he required.  Thanks to the high dose menatetrenone, calcium is not even close to the upper range.  Her bone thickness and density has improved despite continuous chemo and the onset of osteoporsis earlier, before the cancer diagnosis.

Hope4ly

Vitamin D

Hello:

I am new to the community (registered 2/10/18). I came across this post in my search on breast cancer.  My doctor recommended Vitamin D for me too.  I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of right breast in 12/2015.

I have been taking Vitamin D3 2000IU for about two years now.  Recently, I have added Vitamin B12.  Does anyone personally know the benefits of Vitamin B12 for Cancer survisors?

It's a pleasure being a part of the commnity.  Livestrong and take care.

Hope4ly

asilinc298

Kathysuej said:

I have heard....

I've heard that if you're vitamin D deficient then you are more at risk for breast cancer. Anyone know if that's true? I only ask cuz about 2 years ago my bloodwork came back that I was low. I started taking a supplement, but would forget to take it regularly. Now I have breast cancer. Just wondering if there's a link there??? I did hear that from somewhere before, but not sure it was a reliable sorce  

Just joined today, I do

Just joined today, I do believe that there is a link between low vitamin D and cancer especially breast cancer.  When they tested mine, they said was lowest they had ever seen.  15 min of sunlight each day is supposed to get you enough vitamin D if you cant get outside or in the sun, then supplements are needed.  My Dr only raise me to 2 1000 a day.  However to become better at fighting cancer I am reading that the level of 50-60 is optimum.  When I was still in chemo I got scolded by my oncologist for taking 3-4 of those pills a day she said they are hard on the liver, well during chemo everything is hard on the liver.  My levels went up to 40. I am still aiming for between 50-60 so going to have them do another blood test to see where I am now.  I went back up on the levels that I take daily.  Always good to consult with a Dr before you supplement with any vitamins minerals etc.  But yes there is scientific info that points to low vitamin D folks have more cancer then those with the higher levels of D