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Vitamin D with Tx.
Another great Vit D study. 86 per cent SVR vs.48 per cent w/o Vit D
Vitamin D supplementation improves sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1)-naïve patients
Saif Abu-Mouch, Zvi Fireman, Jacob Jarchovsky, Abdel-Rauf Zeina, and Nimer Assy
Saif Abu-Mouch, Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine B, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 38100, Israel
Vitamin D supplementation improves sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1)-naïve patients
Saif Abu-Mouch, Zvi Fireman, Jacob Jarchovsky, Abdel-Rauf Zeina, and Nimer Assy
Saif Abu-Mouch, Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine B, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 38100, Israel
As Will mentioned above, studies indicate ~ 60% of people with HCV are either Vitamin D deficient or have insufficient amounts when measured. Vit D levels could also be influenced by trt. I often spend 2 hrs+ per day in the Florida sun on the weekends (with sunscreen), so the additional exposure to the sun did not translate to a higher level of Vitamin D in my situation. Since I was Vitamin D deficient the solution was Vitamin D3 supplementation after discussion and approval from the doctor. I'm not aware of the potential benefits of tanning beds vs the sunlight exposure.
One of my friends from the prove 1 trial cleared at day 2. They may have had a very low initial starting viral load but she mentioned that she had tanned during the start of the trial.
Another friend was on a cruise and started; they had failed twice before and this time augmented a few things, but Vit D and some tanning this time.
.....They got an RVR and subsequent SVR.
They often say that the best way to get vitamins is from foods. I wonder what starting w/ adequate Vit D stores and augmenting with some tanning could hurt when starting with TX? (obviously, just wondering about SAFE tanning practices, not extreme measures)
best,
Willy
Another friend was on a cruise and started; they had failed twice before and this time augmented a few things, but Vit D and some tanning this time.
.....They got an RVR and subsequent SVR.
They often say that the best way to get vitamins is from foods. I wonder what starting w/ adequate Vit D stores and augmenting with some tanning could hurt when starting with TX? (obviously, just wondering about SAFE tanning practices, not extreme measures)
best,
Willy
Spending 20 minutes in the sun while on treatment is not advisable. We are supposed to stay out of the sun, stay covered, use sunscreen while treating. PIs apparently increase this need.
My D was pretty low, think the minimum normal value was 30, I was at 13, so started taking 1000 units (what ever the unit is) of D. I read it helps with a lot of things, I have a son that is a pretty bad asthmatic, I read it even helps with this, I will ask his doctor about it, although that is another forum, ha...sorry got side tracked...
after joe from fl posted that his doc had everyone that tx take d3 i started at about week 6....but even with that my vitamin d was very low at the end of tx...now i'm on once a week prescription 50000 units....theres not much going out in the sun up here...in fact because of what we've done to the environment with sun exposer way down my doc says many folks need d......billy
Studies have shown that approx. 60% of people with HCV are either Vitimin D deficient or have insufficient amounts when measured.
The normal reference range is 30 -100 ng/dl as flycyclist mentioned.
The message seems to be that adequate levels should be monitored for as it "may"be of a benefit for general health and possibly improved treatment response.
Vit D however is a fat soluble vitamin and stored in the liver ,therefore excessive amounts could be harmful.
Seems like everything else...moderation to insure adequate levels is best..
.I was tested for Vit D when I started tx. and was slightly deficient and my hepatologist put me on 2000 per day while treating ,,which I still take and my level is maintained at 40ng/dl.
Will
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950664/
G&H What research is needed with regard to vitamin D deficiency associated with liver disease?
SN As noted above, clinicians and patients need to be more aware of the potential for and risks of vitamin D deficiency. Current research needs include evaluating the role of vitamin D supplementation to enhance treatment response among patients with hepatitis C and the role of actin-free vitamin D binding protein in hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, it is important for us to learn the optimal duration and dose of vitamin D replacement for patients with liver failure.
G&H Should patients with liver disease be monitored for vitamin D deficiency?
SN Yes. All hepatologists should monitor vitamin D levels and treat deficient patients. The goal for all patients with chronic liver disease should be a 25-OH vitamin D level of 30 ng/mL. Anything less than 15–20 ng/mL is considered deficiency.
G&H Has vitamin D deficiency always been a problem for people with liver disease, or has this been changing recently?
SN It is likely that it was always a problem, but the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that the mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D has decreased over the last 2 decades. It may be that the more severe vitamin D deficiency is only now coming to light.
The normal reference range is 30 -100 ng/dl as flycyclist mentioned.
The message seems to be that adequate levels should be monitored for as it "may"be of a benefit for general health and possibly improved treatment response.
Vit D however is a fat soluble vitamin and stored in the liver ,therefore excessive amounts could be harmful.
Seems like everything else...moderation to insure adequate levels is best..
.I was tested for Vit D when I started tx. and was slightly deficient and my hepatologist put me on 2000 per day while treating ,,which I still take and my level is maintained at 40ng/dl.
Will
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2950664/
G&H What research is needed with regard to vitamin D deficiency associated with liver disease?
SN As noted above, clinicians and patients need to be more aware of the potential for and risks of vitamin D deficiency. Current research needs include evaluating the role of vitamin D supplementation to enhance treatment response among patients with hepatitis C and the role of actin-free vitamin D binding protein in hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, it is important for us to learn the optimal duration and dose of vitamin D replacement for patients with liver failure.
G&H Should patients with liver disease be monitored for vitamin D deficiency?
SN Yes. All hepatologists should monitor vitamin D levels and treat deficient patients. The goal for all patients with chronic liver disease should be a 25-OH vitamin D level of 30 ng/mL. Anything less than 15–20 ng/mL is considered deficiency.
G&H Has vitamin D deficiency always been a problem for people with liver disease, or has this been changing recently?
SN It is likely that it was always a problem, but the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that the mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D has decreased over the last 2 decades. It may be that the more severe vitamin D deficiency is only now coming to light.
15 -20 min a day in the sunshine with some skin exsposure will help your body develop enough vit D unless you are dificient already. In the winter that's hard so it is recomended to take supplment in winter months . I would always talk with the DOC before starting anything new .
My Dr. told me not to take additives, including D.. She told me that unless I was deficient, there was just too much going on with the triple therapy to add in other variables. FWIW.
Thanks for the info, Hector. Whenever I see something on a forum, I always Google it and look at the results myself.
This is the third study that I have seen showing positive and dramatic effects for Vitamin D with just Peg and riba.
I have also seen one study explaining the possible science behind the results.Its amazing that the results from simple Vit D are comparable to DAA's.
I am taking Vit D now and I certainly will continue when I do Tx, probably a triple with Incivek.
I'm headed to my Hepa Dr today in Philly. I will ask him and see what his response is and let you all know.
Have a great day!
Jules
Have a great day!
Jules
I have been taking Vitamin D 3 for years with my calcium due to osteopenia (which was at borderline pathological fracture stage in 1990) and my bone density is now back to normal. After reading that research article from Israel last fall, I added more Vitamin D 3. I am taking 2500 IU a day. I figure being overweight, Geno 1, 65, and having a high viral load, I need all the help I can get, LOL.
And yes, if you get Vitamin D for supplementation, get the Vitamin D 3.
Also, be sure it is cleared with the treating MD.
And yes, if you get Vitamin D for supplementation, get the Vitamin D 3.
Also, be sure it is cleared with the treating MD.
Began trt 4/21/2011. My initial Vitamin D3 levels taken on
8/04/2011:
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total 30 ng/mL (Range 30-100) Borderline Deficient
Began taking 5,000 IU/day
11/28/2011:
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total 48 ng/mL (Range 30-100)
8/04/2011:
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total 30 ng/mL (Range 30-100) Borderline Deficient
Began taking 5,000 IU/day
11/28/2011:
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total 48 ng/mL (Range 30-100)
My doc has me taking 2000mg and 1500mg of calcium/mag.
I knew it was good for our bones but now, there's even more reason to happily take Vit. D.
I knew it was good for our bones but now, there's even more reason to happily take Vit. D.
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http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2012/01/world-j-gastroenterol.html
"Limitations of the present study include the small number of patients, lack of vitamin D level assessment during therapy for the treatment and control groups, and that this prospective and randomized study was not placebo-controlled, thus the patients knew whether or not they received a vitamin D supplement. Another limitation is the lack of data on the TH1 and TH2 immune response. The identification of determinants of the response, such as polymorphisms of the IL28B gene, polymorphism of the VDR and immune function[13,35], may help explain the difference in response rates between patients with different ethnic backgrounds. This was not done in our study since data on IL-28B and on VDR polymorphism were not available at the time the study was designed."
Hector