Hello everyone, I had my second AC treatment yesterday and got the result of a Vitamin D blood test which showed my level was 37 which is low. I now have to start on a massive dose of Vitamin D made up by a compound chemist.Has anyone else had this problem? I would be interested to hear. Thank you.

Low vitamin D levels are surprisingly common, the slip, slap, slop campaign may have contributed by reducing sunshine benefit (but then you get worried about skin cancer!!).My level was even lower and I had to take three capsules a day before I started chemo. While chemo may deplete it, my oncologist most certainly wanted my level raised before and during treatment. I still take supplements daily - I am on Femara and need everything I can do to keep my bones as healthy as possible .

Thanks @duxx1234 your post has precipitated a most interesting conversation from members.Thankyou all too. I am starting to think that the depletion of vit D levels by chemo might explain why those who are also er+ seem to have bigger problems with joint pain when on aromatase inhibitors than those who have not had chemo. Aromatase inhibitors are known to reduce bone density causing joint pain and fractures.I know ,having osteoporosis prior to breast cancer myself, that low vit D is associated with low calcium absorption and contributes to osteoporosis with symptoms of joint pain and fractures.So maybe those who have chemo and are er+ start aromatase inhibitors with lower bone density. I have not had chemo and have been on Letrozole 6 months and joint pain has thus far been manageable although a couple of other side effects have been disconcerting like a spike in my formerly good cholesterol.Apologies if I appear naive as I have been surprised to hear some of the difficulties others have had with aromatase inhibitors esp severe joint pain.I might add I also have the benefit from 6 monthly injections of Prolia to prevent further fractures which I guess may also explain why my joint pain has been manageable as well 2 Caltrate Bone and Muscle Health daily to provide the recommended doses of calcium and vitamin d suggested by Osteoporosis Australia for my age and situation.

These are horrible decisions to face, Marg. Atrophy and bone density issues are often physically painless, at least for me. I had a glimmer of that broken feeling when I discovered I had AF and lymphoedema - again much easier to get your head around and learn to live with when there is no pain involved. Under the circumstances, humph is the very least you can say!!

Thank you all for your responses. You are all so helpful! It was very interesting to read about the connection of low Vitamin D to bc and also recurrence of bc. I am starting tomorrow on 50,000 units - one capsule per week for 5 weeks! That should do the trick, me thinks

I know the chemo depletes vitamins etc but my naturopath put me on 5000 IU of D3 oral drops (Bioceuticals do this) and I also took 3 Advacal tablets a day which also had a bit of D in them as well as the calcium. I had a deficiency to start with. She said chemo patients should be on at least 5000IU daily. (I'm just saying what I was told so don't take it as a chemo oncs advice, although the chemo onc did say that she didn't care if I took it as it's not something that can hinder chemo.) I don't know if I was just lucky or if the D3 and Calcium helped, but the chemo onc said she was surprised my fingernails and toenails were fine at the end of chemo as she had had several cases of them falling out with the particular chemo I was on for the last three cycles (Docetaxil). Also, I didn't go bald, my hair started growing longer whilst on FEC, for the first three cycles, and sadly started shedding again for the last three. Apparently Docetaxil is a bit of a bathplug! But, who knows if it was the vitamins as chemo is just so different side effect wise for everyone! Best of luck xx

Low Vitamin D level | Online Network

Mira
Member
8 years ago
I had low vitamin D before I was diagnosed with the cancer. I only have to take normal supplements though.
Anonymous
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Hey @duxx1234 Welcome...truth is majority of the population have low vitamin D odd isn't it? very normal for you to have low Vit D and it will get worse on chemo. My oncologist didnt start me on Vitamin D until after Chemo, no point taking anything whilst youre on treatment as it's depleted after every infusion. Hugs Melinda xo
primek
Member
8 years ago
Apparently it's quite common

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/low_vit_d

Also previous discussions

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/15413/vitamin-d-and-link-to-breast-cancer/p1
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Low vitamin D levels are surprisingly common, the slip, slap, slop campaign may have contributed by reducing sunshine benefit (but then you get worried about skin cancer!!).

My level was even lower and I had to take three capsules a day before I started chemo. While chemo may deplete it, my oncologist most certainly wanted my level raised before and during treatment. I still take supplements daily - I am on Femara and need everything I can do to keep my bones as healthy as possible .
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Whilst I have not had AC treatment I am a very fair skinned redhead who avoids the sun so take the vitamin D level recommended by Osteoporosis society - which for me is covered by 2 Caltrate Bone and Muscle Health daily - 1 at breakfast and one late afternoon.Like many others I need it as I had osteoporosis before breast cancer including a fracture - the latter is a major worry as I take Letrozole/Femara which is not good for bone density.I also have 6 monthly Prolia injections to help build bones.My first annual check up is coming up this March and will be interested to see how my bone density and vitamin d levels are.
duxx1234
Member
8 years ago
Thank you all for your responses. You are all so helpful! It was very interesting to read about the connection of low Vitamin D to bc and also recurrence of bc. I am starting tomorrow on 50,000 units - one capsule per week for 5 weeks! That should do the trick, me thinks
Anonymous
8 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
viking1
Member
8 years ago
I know the chemo depletes vitamins etc but my naturopath put me on 5000 IU of D3 oral drops (Bioceuticals do this) and I also took 3 Advacal tablets a day which also had a bit of D in them as well as the calcium. I had a deficiency to start with. She said chemo patients should be on at least 5000IU daily. (I'm just saying what I was told so don't take it as a chemo oncs advice, although the chemo onc did say that she didn't care if I took it as it's not something that can hinder chemo.) I don't know if I was just lucky or if the D3 and Calcium helped, but the chemo onc said she was surprised my fingernails and toenails were fine at the end of chemo as she had had several cases of them falling out with the particular chemo I was on for the last three cycles (Docetaxil). Also, I didn't go bald, my hair started growing longer whilst on FEC, for the first three cycles, and sadly started shedding again for the last three. Apparently Docetaxil is a bit of a bathplug! But, who knows if it was the vitamins as chemo is just so different side effect wise for everyone! Best of luck xx
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
8 years ago
Hi @duxx1234, I’m also fair skinned and do my best to stay out of the sun but the trade off is low vitamin D. I’ve also got bone density problems and have been taking a compounding prescription of one 25,000 unit capsule per week. It’s put my levels back into the normal range. It sounds like 50,000 should do the trick for you! Good luck and let us know if there is an improvement. Jane x