Importance of Vitamin D levels in Blood Cancers

[Shar0n]

There seems to be a lot of evidence now that Vitamin D levels can have an effect on outcomes in at least some lymphomas. Especially for those of us who don't or can't get enough sunshine to maintain adequate if not optimal levels, this could be a very important and easily implemented intervention, if testing confirms insufficiency.

verywell.com/asco-discoveri...

[wmay13241]

Vitamin D Testing

World authorities have not been able to agree on what levels of vitamin D constitute insufficiency and deficiency.

On this site we have decided to align ourselves with the Endocrine Society defining insufficiency at less than 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L), with deficiency at less than 20 ng/ml or 50 nmol/L.

For follicular lymphoma survivors we suggest that OPTIMAL vitamin D should be in the range of 40~60 ng/ml or 100 to 150 nmol/L. These levels are far below the levels considered to be toxic. Optimal vitamin D does not need to be higher than the levels listed here.

There is a surprising difference in the assimilation of vitamin D between people taking the same supplemental dose.

Source: Robert G. Miller, Article 3, January 2018

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Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations ≥40 ng/ml Are Associated with >65% Lower Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis of Randomized Trial and Prospective Cohort Study

Source: journals.plos.org/plosone/a...

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to wmay13241]

I recently got tested and the result was 34ng/ml which would seem to be on the low end of normal . I intend to increase my present dose a bit and get retested in six months. I'll be checking it with my oncologist at next appointment in May as he seems to keep up to speed with current thinking/research. Robert Miller is an excellent source of sane information .

[Dlindquist54]

I have been on vit. D. 50,000(??) each week for years now. I also take multivitamin and calcium with d3 every day. I thought I should get it checked recently as that seems high to me. It was very low after chemo and probably before. I'm diabetic since 2001(read possible correlation) and diagnosed with lymphoma in early 2013(read possible correlation).

I thought maybe I could go off of the large dose each week. My provider said I'm low normal and I should add another 1,000 a day based on my number. I started that and I think it triggered afib. Even after afib converted bp and pulse stayed high. I went off of extra 1,000 and bp and pulse went back to normal. My doctor years ago told me to stop using sun block. My time in the sun is on my motorcycle but I wear a helmet and fully covered body. Not enough sun. And I live in MN. This summer I will spend more time outdoors, maybe in the garden.

[Shar0n Volunteer]

I live in Ireland which most of the year has cloud cover and only limited time in the summer months to make Vit D from the sun. I'm being cautious about taking more than 3,000ius a day until I get tested and see whether my levels have gone up much on that dose. I only weigh 100lbs so the usual adult dosages are probably too much for me anyway.

If possible to get it from the sun is much better as the body can regulate it and shut down production when it has enough. It's a fine balancing act when you have to factor melanoma risk into the equation too.

Grassroots Health has a calculator when you know your current levels and the recommended dosage is linked to the individual's weight which seems sensible. Here's the link for anyone interested: grassrootshealth.net/projec...