Arguement for taking Vit D

Do read his Wikipedia page.

Note that he was a nurse, not a (medical) doctor.

Although he was highly praised for his videos at the beginning of COVID, this certainly hasn't been the case more recently, where he's been criticised for misleading information.

I think I listened to his Vitamin D video some time ago and found it good though.

For some cancers, some centres tell patients to stop taking Vitamin D during radiotherapy, because it's an anti-oxidant, whereas the whole object of radiotherapy is to create free radicals to corrupt DNA, which is what anti-oxidants are trying to avoid. I've never heard this advice given to prostate cancer patients though, and I suspect the radiotherapy would be swamping out any anti-oxidant activity.

Edited by member 17 Oct 2025 at 21:56  | Reason: Not specified

More generally, for men on HT, lack of testosterone can lead to lower bone density. Taking a calcium supplement might not be adequate if the calcium isn't being absorbed. Vit D aids in making calcium available for bone density maintenance. It's possible to over-do calcium supplements leading to kidney problems while still not being able to use the calcium due to low Vit D levels. Calcium and Vit D levels can be checked by blood tests. Well worth asking your friendly GP so as to get a handle on all the variables that can be changed by hormone therapy. 

Vit D might be adequately provided by sunlight in summer but winter makes it harder to get your levels up so a supplement can help. There's a once a week pill available.

Jules

I am sure I read somewhere in the statistics that PCa effects more men in higher latitudes, Scandinavia Canada etc than it does our friends in sunnier climes.  The theory being that short winter days = lack of sunlight = lack of vitamin D.  Reason enough to take supplement, and if you get the chance a holiday in the sun?

With some careful transcription, the pubmed link that's referred to in the clip Barry mentioned is:

Vit D link to prostate cancer

Barry mentioned said that his GP had mentioned several things to keep an eye on. My GP has been encouraging me, aided by blood tests, to keep an eye on the following, all of which can be exacerbated by going through hormone treatment, or just by ageing:

Cholesterol: My levels went up slightly as a result of HT but are well down into the acceptable range thanks to statins. 10mg made a big difference but I'm now trying 20mg and that has things well in hand. Problems with cholesterol reach beyond hardening of the arteries as it can also hasten dementia by its effects on the brain's vascular system.

Calcium: Low uptake of calcium can cause osteopaenia or develop into more serious osteoporosis. My own treatment was preceded by a bone density scan and followed by bone density scans every couple of years, so while I definitely moved into ostopaenia during HT, that trend seems to have stopped and gone into reverse in the two years since testosterone returned. If testosterone returns, it helps bring things back on track. To repeat, excess calcium can cause problems, kidney stones I believe. 

Vit D: I mentioned this above but just adding to it slightly. First up, it's possible to have your blood calcium levels checked. It's also possible to have your blood Vit D levels checked and like everything else, there's a recommended range, so it's not guesswork. If the level of Vit D is low it reduces our ability to actually absorb and make use of calcium for bone growth, even if blood-calcium levels are ok. At the same time, there's no point it taking too much Vit D or calcium as a supplement. If Vit D is also useful for reducing the risk of recurrence, it's another good argument for checking blood VitD levels.

I'm getting OT here but given the importance of testosterone related to all of the above, [warning: personal opinion] anyone who doesn't have their testosterone return to a decent level should be seriously considering if they can have TRT or, failing that, take every step possible to avoid the side effects of not having testosterone as part of their physiology. 

Jules

Edited by member 23 Nov 2025 at 22:51  | Reason: Not specified

Husband had first appointment with oncology two weeks ago. They took a blood sample and tested for vit D. He was a bit low so he collected his Vit D today from Boots. 

There are some commentators online who take very large amounts of Vit D , there was a guy on the usually sensible PCRI youtube who was taking such amounts that elsewhere they would be considered excessive and potentially adverse to health.
He didn't specially recommend that to others but the implication is there.

having started ADT a month or so ago I have my DexaScan in a couple of weeks. The CNS just recommended taking the usually adult supplement dose 12.5 ug - but they didn't check our Vit D as a matter of course - I have no idea if I am normally low and need more. Seems they don't deem it necessary?

Edited by member 09 Dec 2025 at 12:51  | Reason: Not specified