Low Vitamin D level

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

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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

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.

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 . 

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

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

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I had low vitamin D before I was diagnosed with the cancer.  I only have to take normal supplements though.