Hi I have been reading that vitamin d3 can help. Has anyone taken it or had their levels checked?? Any help would be gratefully accepted as I battle through the complementary medcine minefield.
Hiya again,
I do vitamin D, but haven’t had my levels checked. Wasn’t aware until your post that there were different types - it would appear perhaps that D3 is better than basic (d2) but since i didn’t know that previously i’ve perhaps not been taking the best type. I came across it before DX,in some study or other about speculating why certain types of cancer were worse in Scotland ( apart from the fags the booze and the deep fried mars bars that is) ie the lack of sunshine relative to other uk places - sorry rambling - anyhow conclusion its supposed to be really good.
Lynn
ps. onco’s may have an issue with it since it has to be processed by the liver and the liver is under so much pressure from chemo.
Lynn
Hi Lala
My husband’s aunt is a senior nurse consultant in Oncology in Canada. When she found out I was diagnosed with breast cancer she spoke to the nurse consultant in breast cancer and Oncologist and the advice was to start vitamin D and that I should take for the rest of my life.
There is research on this and it was certainly compelling enough for me to be swayed. I only have a paper version of this I’m afraid but I think if you try an internet search you should find something.
It is difficult and an individual decision in the end.
Elinda x
Thanks for your replies I will continue searching on internet for more info x
Hi
You might want to check out the American cancer website link below as there is a huge thread about this very thing
community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/741446?page=15
For guidance, I take d3 daily as I have read a lot on this, particularly on the American websites, that persuade me it is a wise
precaution.
Hope that helps you.
Linda
Anyone pre menopausal and on hormone treatment usually gets prescribed Adcal for the extra calcium but this also contains vit D3, so hopefully its doing double the good.
…and post-menopausal, Lolly. I am on Letrozole and Adcal D3.
Ann x
Oh sorry Ann !!
Lynn, Linda and Elinda - How much D vitamin do you take?
Just had a look at the Adcal D3 and it contains 400 iu of vitamin D3.
That’s ok, Lolly!
Ann x
Hi thanks everyone. Lindaa I looked at the link you sent me very compelling. As I am just about to begin chemo my GP said to leave it until afterwards. I still can’t make up my mind!
Hi Ann
I take 1000 iu of vit D3 - that’s what I saw was recommended in the research I’ve read.
Lala - I’m so sorry I don’t have a link for you I’ll see if I can find something tomorrow when I’ve got a bit more time.
Elinda x
Thanks, Elinda. As well as the Adcal-D3, I take Cod Liver Oil, which has some added (200iu, I think) but I assume it is naturally occurring in it as well. The problem is, I don’t know how much. Anyone know?
Ann x
I am investigating taking Vitamin D3. I already get some with the ADcal-D3 but it seems that larger doses are recommended. My concern is that too much can cause excessive amounts of calcium in the blood and due to the risk of bone thinning on Letrozole, I need to be careful about that. I am not sure what the correct balance between Vitamins A and D and calcium and magnesium should be. It is such a minefield. If you take too much of one thing, it upsets others.
Does anyone know?
Ann x
Hi. I weigh around 8st 7 lb and take 5000iu per day and my husband, who weighs 14st 3 lb and has prostate cancer, takes 10,000iu. I was taking 1000iu per day since I was diagnosed in Dec 2008, but a bone scan in July last year showed my bone density was still dire (arimidex doesn’t help that problem)so I increased it. VitD3 is also supposed to help with side effects from arimidex, and I’ve never had any joint pains and only mild hot flushes. Toxic levels of VitD3 are far higher than was once thought. I did have a VitD test but the hospital lost the results and I didn’t get round to having another. We’ve both had loads of other scans and blood tests though, and no adverse effects from the VitD has cropped up. We have to get it from the internet though or we’d be swallowing handfuls of lower dose pills.
Thanks, highball. How did you decide how much to take? It is not the toxicity as such that I am concerned about but I read that it may cause excess calcium in the blood, which has to come from somewhere, so that does worry me. Are you certain that the high levels of Vit D3 are not causing bone problems, rather than helping them?
For example, I found this:-
“Hypervitaminosis D is a condition that occurs after taking excessive doses of vitamin D.”
“An excess of vitamin D causes abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, which can eventually severely damage the bones, soft tissues, and kidneys. It is almost always caused by forms of vitamin D that require a doctor’s prescription.”
It is all so confusing!!!
Ann x
This is interesting as I asked my Onc about taking any supplements. His opinion is no, not unless you pay to have a thorough test to have your natural levels of vitamins checked beforehand (about £300) and then the doses can be accurate. This test shows if you are deificient. If you aren’t, no need to take anything. As you are all probably aware, taking the wrong dose can cause damage.
J