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Vitamin D results are in

And as expected, I'm not vitamin D deficient. However, neither do I possess an over abundance of vitamin D either.  My vitamin D level was at 31 ng/mL. Reference range being 30 - 100 ng/mL.

Needless to say, I was very disappointed. With as much time as I spend outside riding my bike, I would have expected my levels to be much higher, but it sure makes the statistic, 77% of all Americans may also be vitamin D deficient, a lot more believable.

I am certainly not happy entertaining the thought of having to take a vitamin D supplement. Being the cynic I am, I have a general distrust of the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, but there seems to be overwhelming evidence of the harm resulting from a vitamin D deficiency, including an additional risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even immune-system disorders, lymphoma being considered in the latter category.

So I've resigned myself to take a vitamin D supplement. My friend, and medical expert, recommended I take 2000 IU per day, and my oncologist recommended 1000 IU per day. She knows how hesitant I am to take any sort of vitamins or supplements, so I know she's just being accomodating, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore that advice. [There are others who recommend taking a lot more.]

I went an purchased 120, 1000 IU tablets of vitamin D3. We'll see how that goes over the next 4 months.

In the mean time, if you haven't had your vitamin D levels checked, I would suggest you do so. Who knows, you may be surprised.
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Comments

Mike F. said…
Marc,

I am surprised that your Vitamin D levels were not checked much sooner in your journey with MCL, but maybe this was done but I missed the previous report. As you know, the best way to boost Vitamin D naturally is through sun exposure but the supplements are added insurance. Don't totally despair about pharmaceutical and vitamin manufacturers. No matter what, there is always a time to take the "medicine" with a grateful heart.
9:57 AM
Susan C said…
When I saw the headline, I thought for sure you'd report that your levels were through the roof. Really surprised to read that you're borderline. I just found out that I'm woefully deficient - 9.8. I'm on the prescribed mega-dose for a few weeks to pump it up.
10:28 AM
Susan C said…
PS I found the deficiency through my GP. Even though I test my blood every month at City of Hope, they never looked at the D level.
10:29 AM
Marc said…
9.8! WOW, you really need to start spending a lot more time outside.
12:26 PM
Marc said…
Yeah, I haven't had my vitamin D levels checked either, in at least 8 years, and I never would have even thought of it, if my oncologist hadn't mentioned it.

I just hope the reason we are low is because of a lack of sun, or proper diet, rather than the possibility our bodies don't metabolize it like healthy people.
9:52 PM
Patti Earhart said…
I had my Vitamin D level checked by the integrative medicine doc who sees the cancer patients at the Scripps Institute for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla,CA. It was right after I was diagnosed with MCL in July, 2008. I was below normal and he advised me to start taking 2000 IU of D3. I was shocked. I have lived in San Diego since I was 14 and always had a tan BUT when we started hearing about skin cancer I always used sunscreen and wore a visor outside. I have been a full time RVer since 2006 spending time outside quite a bit and swimming whenever possible. I was dismayed to learn I was deficient in the sunshine vitamin. I have take 2000 IU ever since and only use sunscreen when I will be exposed to a lot of sun.
3:23 PM
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