A Review of the Role of Vitamin D in AML

Vitamin D is an important nutrient needed to maintain your health. 

Vitamin D's Roles in the Body

• assists with calcium & phosphorus absorption
• helps bring calcium & phosphorus to our teeth & bones
• fights against osteoporosis and bone degeneration
• works to regulate calcium in our blood
• improves muscle & nerve function
• keeps our immune system strong
• May play a role in preventing or reducing symptoms of depression

Vitamin D and AML

While vitamin D deficiency is widespread among many countries including the United States, your vitamin D level may be even more important if you have AML. There are several studies that have shown vitamin D deficiency is more common among people with acute leukemias, and that lower vitamin D levels in blood cancers may be associated with poorer outcomes and response to treatments. 

A Brief Summary of the Research on Vitamin D and AML:

1. There is a relationship between leukemia and a low level of vitamin D.
2. Patients with AML who have deficient vitamin D levels have been found to have significantly shorter survival times than those with normal vitamin D levels.
3. There is a correlation between more aggressive disease and low vitamin D levels in patients with acute leukemia.
4. Vitamin D levels have been shown to drop during chemotherapy.

The research on vitamin D tells us that you may be at higher risk for leukemia if you have low vitamin D levels, and you may have a better prognosis if you normalize your vitamin D levels throughout treatment. It’s also important to note that vitamin D levels have been shown to drop as a result of chemotherapy. So, if you start chemotherapy with a vitamin D deficiency, your vitamin D status is likely to get even worse. 

Having your doctor monitor your vitamin D levels regularly through lab work is a great place to start. This chart from the National Institute of Health shows you how most doctors will interpret your vitamin D lab results.

*Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D are reported in both nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). One nmol/L = 0.4 ng/mL, and 1 ng/mL = 2.5 nmol/L.

There Are 3 Ways You Can Meet your Vitamin D Needs:

• Food: Only a few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Salmon, sardines, eggs, and certain mushrooms are your best sources. You can also consume foods fortified with vitamin D like dairy, dairy alternatives, orange juice and cereals.
• Sunlight: Your body has the ability to convert sunlight into Vitamin D by absorbing it through your skin. Fifteen minutes of sunlight exposure to bare skin (without sunscreen) per day is recommended.
• Supplements: While we want to try and get our nutrients from food as best as we can, in many cases, supplementation becomes necessary. Always check with your health provider before taking supplements, especially when receiving treatment for your AML. It is important to receive counseling on which supplements and doses are best for you and your personal needs.

If your vitamin D level is low, you will want to speak with your doctor about how to most appropriately replace vitamin D.