low serum Vitamin D correlated with cancer - Vital to get tested

Rague said:

Vit. D is essential

Vit. D is so essential for so many body functions.

I'm a Native Floridian and most of my 'growing up time' was spent in SW FL.  Then we spent 12 yrs on Whidbey Island (Puget Sound, WA).  Since moving to western SoDak I've fought SAD (Seasonal Effective Disorder) and take 5,000 IUs of D daily year round - per my PA's recommendation.  I'm a very outdoor woman but still need the 'help'.  Spring/Fall I take 10,000 and winter 15,000 daily - it's what I need for my mental health.  I also use during Fall/Spring/winter a 'light box'.  The light hitting your eyes will stimulate the producion of Vit. D as does the sun.

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

I need to see my doctor.I was low on Vit D when I had bronchitis.Also low on B12 and folic acid.The B12 wasn't to bad  I take my Vitamin D pretty faithful but I need to get another blood test soon.Even though i'm feeling so much better now.It took awhile though.Doctor put me on 1,000 units a day.Not as high as alot of people.I also think I read Vitamin is good for the heart???

Rague.I hear some take 5,000 units daily or more.I was shocked when I heard that. Like my doctor said "It depends on the person".I'm never in the sun but planning to sunbathe this year(whenever we get a HOT spell).   

Lynn Smith    

peterz54 said:

Lynn, yes, have a blood test

Lynn,

I was taking 1,000 to 2,000 IU and tested at only 31 mg/ml and I live in  Florida.   31 is not bad but not good either, as the research suggests being in the range of 40 to 60.   Watch the videos in my first post as they give research data on breast cancer and recurrance and other usefull information.   

The rule of thumb is that every 1,000 IU will raise serum D by 10 ng/ml, but it takes 2 or 3 months months for serum levels to reach new equilibrium levels after changing dosage.   As for 5,000 IU per day, I started this dose about 2 months ago, and will get tested soon.  I have also started getting out in the sun 10 minutes a day in my shorts (fortunatley I live in a rural area and will not shock anyone    ) The research suggests that 5,000 IU is not a high dose.    I also have heart issues, and yes, it is supposed to help with heart disease.

Keep in mind that the average physicians is woefully ignorant about nutrition and how nutrition affects specific health issues.  Thye tend to default to conservative and often wrong positions. 

A short video of Dr Cedric Garland on Breast Cancer and Vit D and the evidence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_6d-5nqINM

 peter

I was dxd in 2010 with both breast and endometrial cancers.  For years, I had low levels of Vitamin D  (13).  I just couldn't wrap my head around taking it every day even though my pcp advised me to, told me all it was needed for, etc.  Then bam - the news of cancer.  One of the first things my oncologist said to me is we need to get the levels up so I took 50,000 IU for whatever time I was supposed to and got things back into normal range - up to 39 in Dec. 2010.  Been taking 2000 IU daily since.  Last 2 tests put me at 24 which is lower than she'd like.  She suggested I try switching to liquid because "although there is no scientific evidence, it seems to be absorbed better".  I think I actually get more than 2000 IUs daily because it's just difficult to gauge with the dropper so we'll see how my levels are with my next blood work end of June.  My oncologist also said "10-15 minutes in the sun every day and don't tell the dermatologist".   

 I do believe that Vitamin D is important.  I don't believe I got cancer because my levels were low, but I believe it was one of the risk factors that contributed.

Suzanne

Lynn Smith said:

I need to see my doctor

I need to see my doctor.I was low on Vit D when I had bronchitis.Also low on B12 and folic acid.The B12 wasn't to bad  I take my Vitamin D pretty faithful but I need to get another blood test soon.Even though i'm feeling so much better now.It took awhile though.Doctor put me on 1,000 units a day.Not as high as alot of people.I also think I read Vitamin is good for the heart???

Rague.I hear some take 5,000 units daily or more.I was shocked when I heard that. Like my doctor said "It depends on the person".I'm never in the sun but planning to sunbathe this year(whenever we get a HOT spell).   

Lynn Smith    

Lynn - My phsy Dr also agrees with the amount of Vit D I take to try to keep my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) under control.   She and my PA would throttle me if I told them that I was gooing to do 'sunbatheing' to get Vit  D as exposing the skiin to that much sun can cuse issues with skin cancer.  They both know that I'm out in the sun a lot but just because I'm out doing 'stuff', not just sitting/laying in the sun.  Also I always get a 'lecture' from both of them about being sure to use sunscreen.  I have to admit - I'm not a good about doing that as I should be so getting the 'lecture' twice a year is a good ide as I do think more about using it - for a while - but any use is better than none which is what I'd do if not for the lectures.  I really should do better as I've had several pre-cancerous lesions burned off but old habits are hard to break - I'm very 'fair' but have never had a bad sunburn and tan great.

Rather than subjecting your skin to all the bad effects that you get from the sun to get a good one (Vit D) have you thought about having your Dr et you a light box to use?  They really do help!  I got my first box in 1996  and got a new one this fall. Something you might want to talk to your Drs bout.

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

Rague said:

Lynn - My phsy Dr also agrees

Lynn - My phsy Dr also agrees with the amount of Vit D I take to try to keep my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) under control.   She and my PA would throttle me if I told them that I was gooing to do 'sunbatheing' to get Vit  D as exposing the skiin to that much sun can cuse issues with skin cancer.  They both know that I'm out in the sun a lot but just because I'm out doing 'stuff', not just sitting/laying in the sun.  Also I always get a 'lecture' from both of them about being sure to use sunscreen.  I have to admit - I'm not a good about doing that as I should be so getting the 'lecture' twice a year is a good ide as I do think more about using it - for a while - but any use is better than none which is what I'd do if not for the lectures.  I really should do better as I've had several pre-cancerous lesions burned off but old habits are hard to break - I'm very 'fair' but have never had a bad sunburn and tan great.

Rather than subjecting your skin to all the bad effects that you get from the sun to get a good one (Vit D) have you thought about having your Dr et you a light box to use?  They really do help!  I got my first box in 1996  and got a new one this fall. Something you might want to talk to your Drs bout.

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

I love being in the sun and am enjoying what little bit we are getting now on the warmer days.  I also take 4000 IU of Vitamin D daily, as my doctor suggested. 

Debby