Hi
I have not posted much recently as I have been recovering from more bowel surgery (not melanoma related), last one was two weeks ago.
I have just had a lot of blood tests done as I have been feeling poorly since May maybe thyroid or other endocrine problem. Anyway one of the results was extremely low Vit D. This could be connected to my bowel problems but I think more likely because of lack of sunshine.
I have been precribed Vit D3 to take for seven weeks to see if I can build level up again but what do I do in the future about getting natural sunshine without risking damaging skin. I am red headed and fair skinned so would burn easily if outside without sun protection even for ten minutes?
Regards
Hi , nice to hear from you again
I hope you're recovering nicely from your recent surgery and that you have someone running round looking after you!
As you burn so easily I can understand why you wouldn't want to risk any time in the sun unprotected. As you'll see from the information below, taken from a British Association of Dermatologists leaflet about melanoma, you can get Vitamin D from foods that are high in it.
"The evidence relating to the health effects of Vitamin D blood levels, sunlight exposure and Vitamin D intake remains inconclusive. Avoiding all sunlight exposure if you suffer from light sensitivity, or to reduce the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency.
Patients diagnosed with melanoma are advised to have their Vitamin D level checked by their hospital team. If levels are low they are advised to consider taking Vitamin D3, 10-20 micrograms (400-800IU) per day, and increasing their intake of foods high in Vitamin D such as oily fish, eggs, meat, fortified margarines and cereals. Vitamin D3 supplements are widely available from supermarkets and chemists. Specific advice will be given by your doctor depending on your level of Vitamin D."
I assume that your Vitamin B level will be checked at the end of the 7 weeks so that would be a good time to ask the doctor if you should continue to take supplements or whether increasing your food intake of foods high in Vitamin D will do the trick.
It would be interesting if you could report back on what they say
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi
Yes, I continuing along very nicely thank you. Have my next check-up in just under 2 months. It's hard to believe that I'm already coming to the three year anniversary of when I was told I had melanoma!
I hope you don't need to have anymore surgery this year too.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
