27 replies to this topic

[scuba]

Vitamin D continues to emerge in more clinical studies as a strong anti-cancer agent - or more importantly, low vitamin D status puts one at higher risk for cancer.

 

Higher levels of vitamin D correspond to lower cancer risk

Could Vitamin D Reduce Cancer Risk?

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Advanced Cancers

How Vitamin D Reduces Incidence of Cancer: DINOMIT Model

The Vitamin D Receptor and T Cell Function

Vitamin D and the Immune System

(Most Everyone Can Use More Vitamin D) chart citation

 

What is key here is that serum blood levels of vitamin D greater than 48 ng/ml had a 67% lower risk of invasive cancer. I maintain my vitamin D level between 70-80 (last test was 76 ng/ml).

 

Vitamin D helps immature cells (especially cancer cells) to differentiate. It also helps clumping cells to stay clumped and not metastasize. 

 

In Leukemia, cancer blast cells are what kills - so called blast crisis. It has been shown that vitamin D cause blast cells - even leukemic ones - to differentiate and leave the blast phase. 

 

In my own case, I always had blast cells (bone marrow) - and at diagnosis, they were high enough in number that I was borderline accelerated phase. Early treatment reduced my FISH count, but my blasts remained high (albeit dropping) and fell slowly to what was considered "normal range", but never zero (which is ideal). Once I elevated my vitamin D level to above 60 ng/ml - blast cells disappeared completely. At every test since 2014 (bone marrow and peripheral) I have had no blast cells reported. Coincidence? 

 

DISCLAIMER: vitamin D is not a cure for cancer any more than anything else is  a cure. It is just tool that when added to better overall nutrition will increase our odds of cancer survival. The take away from this research is that you should get and keep your vitamin D level above 50 (but stay below 100) and increase your odds of cancer free living (including leukemia). To keep my vitamin D level where it is, I take 5,000 IU's of vitamin D3 (which converts to vitamin D in the body) daily with lunch that has some fat in it. In the winter, I take 10,000 IU's every other day as lack of sun prevents normal vitamin D synthesis..

Edited by scuba, 09 April 2016 - 03:21 PM.

[Red Cross Kirk]

Last April my level was 23 ng/mL.  I've been supplementing 6,400 IU vitamin D3 for about 11 months, and now it's up to 45.7 ng/mL.  Maybe I should up it to 8,400 IU per day?

 

Here's what the lab considers the different levels to indicate:

 

Reference Interval:

Deficiency: <20 ng/mL
Insufficiency: 20-29 ng/mL
Optimum Level: 30-80 ng/mL
High: 81-150 ng/ml
Toxic: >150 ng/mL
New method and performing lab effective 1/21/16.

 

I'm not sure what that "new method" statement means.

[tiredblood]

Do TKIs have any effect on lowering Vit. D levels?

[scuba]

Last April my level was 23 ng/mL.  I've been supplementing 6,400 IU vitamin D3 for about 11 months, and now it's up to 45.7 ng/mL.  Maybe I should up it to 8,400 IU per day?

 

Here's what the lab considers the different levels to indicate:

 

Reference Interval:

Deficiency: <20 ng/mL
Insufficiency: 20-29 ng/mL
Optimum Level: 30-80 ng/mL
High: 81-150 ng/ml
Toxic: >150 ng/mL
New method and performing lab effective 1/21/16.

 

I'm not sure what that "new method" statement means.

 

Make sure you are taking vitamin D3 with food that has fat in it so it absorbs more completely. In winter I have been taking 15,000 IU's every two days (5/10k alternating per day) until spring. I now only take 5,000 per day, 

[ARTWOMAN]

Good discussion and information.  My oncologist felt that supplements could interfere with my first two TKIs (Gleevec and Tasigna) so I came off of my Vitamin D. I used it to help with depression year-round. I have had an increase in my depression since then. I will be starting Bosulif soon. Does anyone know if Vitamin D is contraindicated with bosutinib/Bosulif?  Does anyone know of any research or articles that may address a contraindication?  I would like to restart the Vitamin D.  Thanks.

[tiredblood]

I just wanted to mention that fat-soluble vitamins can build up to toxic levels in the body, so I'd suggest to anyone only taking them with a doctor's awareness.  For instance, Scuba mentions that he routinely has his vitamin D level checked and maintains a healthy level (not deficient and not toxic).

[scuba]

I just wanted to mention that fat-soluble vitamins can build up to toxic levels in the body, so I'd suggest to anyone only taking them with a doctor's awareness.  For instance, Scuba mentions that he routinely has his vitamin D level checked and maintains a healthy level (not deficient and not toxic).

 

I have it checked twice a year.

 

But I also take vitamin K2 which works in synergy with vitamin D. Studies show that it's near impossible to overdo vitamin D (as long as it is below 10,000 IU's per day) when there is plenty of K2 around. K2 consumes D in order to create the enzymes which move calcium from soft tissue to bone. 

 

Vitamins D3 and K2 - The Dynamic Duo

[tiredblood]

I have it checked twice a year.

 

But I also take vitamin K2 which works in synergy with vitamin D. Studies show that it's near impossible to overdo vitamin D (as long as it is below 10,000 IU's per day) when there is plenty of K2 around. K2 consumes D in order to create the enzymes which move calcium from soft tissue to bone. 

 

Vitamins D3 and K2 - The Dynamic Duo

Who would have thought that there was a second Dynamic Duo.

[scuba]

There is - but only one - dynamic duo.

 

[VickiW]

So glad I stumbled across this thread!  This information is vital to know as i have taken D3 for years but clearly it would be to my benefit to see if I need to increase my dosage since I just began TFR.  I also need to research K2.  

 

Thank you Scuba!

[gerry]

Once you're off your TKI, you can go out and get some extra sun for your vitamin D. :-)

[VickiW]

Once you're off your TKI, you can go out and get some extra sun for your vitamin D. :-)

Didn't think of that!  Maybe now I will be able to actually go outside in the middle of the day when the sun's out!!!!

[scuba]

Didn't think of that!  Maybe now I will be able to actually go outside in the middle of the day when the sun's out!!!!

 

Sun....what sun. We live in Houston. It rains a foot at a time.

[rcase13]

Didn't think of that! Maybe now I will be able to actually go outside in the middle of the day when the sun's out!!!!

This is so me now that I have CML. I have to hide from the sun. I use to love the sun. I miss the sun...

[VickiW]

This is so me now that I have CML. I have to hide from the sun. I use to love the sun. I miss the sun...

I was so bad for a while I felt like a bat!!!  When I was on Gleevec I could only go outside and work in my gardens just after dawn and at dusk!  It was better when I was switched to Sprycel but I still burnt like a lobster and started feeling ill in just a short time.  Got much better when my dose was lowered but I still can only get anything done outside if it's cloudy and I still can't tolerate heat.  (My nose stays so bright red in summer that my so thoughtful DH calls me "Rudolf"!)

[gerry]

Vicki,

Have you ever tried fish oil - don't if you're on a blood thinner, but I've found it helpful for being in the sun. I took it while on Gleevec and continue to take it.

[gerry]

The other thing that has returned for me like a bad memory is leg cramps. I stopped taking magnesium when I stopped the Gleevec, but the leg cramps have returned. I'm wary of them as I wound up tearing my muscles in a couple of spots, which still cause me an issue. I've restarted the magnesium, but the cramps continue. I'll go back to the celery seed next which seemed to help previously.

 

I'm grateful that I'm not experiencing the muscle and joint pain that others are having now they've stopped the TKI, but would like to get rid of the muscle cramps again.

[scuba]

The other thing that has returned for me like a bad memory is leg cramps. I stopped taking magnesium when I stopped the Gleevec, but the leg cramps have returned. I'm wary of them as I wound up tearing my muscles in a couple of spots, which still cause me an issue. I've restarted the magnesium, but the cramps continue. I'll go back to the celery seed next which seemed to help previously.

 

I'm grateful that I'm not experiencing the muscle and joint pain that others are having now they've stopped the TKI, but would like to get rid of the muscle cramps again.

 

Magnesium is important (400mg per day as supplement), but so is Potassium. Make sure you're getting enough Potassium. You would normally get enough from diet (unlike Magnesium which is more depleted) especially if you eat fruits and veggies.

[tinman1939]

Scuba -

 

Headed to Galveston May 2-4 for some down time. Hoping the rain stops by then. We are renting a condo near enough to the Gulf that we don't have to cross a street to dip our feet in the sand. There's something about water - even the brown Gulf - that is soothing to one's soul.

 

I fully expect a portion of the down time to include lying on the beach and enjoying happy hour at a local establishment.

 

I've never avoided the sun much in the nearly 10 years I have had CML. At the same time, I do try to be careful not to overdo things.

 

For the past two years, I have been taking Vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) daily. I don't know if it is helping me, but I don't think it is hurting, either.

 

Drenched in Dallas,

 

Wayne

[rcase13]

It's funny my doctor runs blood test for potassium and magnesium but not for vitamin D