@rhondaobason25 -I’m glad your Patient Advocate at WVU Medicine is helping navigate your basal cell carcinoma (BCC) care. The 1-year delay from suspicion to action and 3-month surgery wait are concerning, as your advocate noted, though BCC is typically slow-growing. You've taken a great first step! Here’s guidance on your Vitamin D and iron questions, pending your doctor’s input.
Vitamin D: Since UV exposure is forbidden to protect your skin, you can’t rely on sunlight for Vitamin D. Eat foods like fatty fish (salmon, sardines), egg yolks, and fortified milk or cereals. Diet alone may not suffice, so supplements (Vitamin D3) are often needed. The RDA is 600–800 IU daily, but deficiency may require higher doses (1,000–4,000 IU or more). Don’t start supplements without a doctor’s guidance—request a 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test to assess levels and tailor dosing, as excess Vitamin D can be toxic. Do you have a specific concern about taking supplements?
Iron: BCC doesn’t typically lower iron levels. This is not supported by literature..... and sometimes this is confused with other malignancies which can impact iron but not BCC. Iron deficiency could stem from unrelated issues (e.g., bleeding, malabsorption). Iron infusions, mentioned in passing, are for severe anemia when oral supplements fail. However continue to report symptoms like fatigue or paleness. Eat iron-rich foods (lean meats, spinach) but avoid supplements without medical advice.
Next Steps: When you hear back ask about surgery timing, Vitamin D testing, and iron concerns. do you have a primary doctor to review your concerns about vitamin D testing and iron? That would be a good place to start. You may also want to seek a second opinion to determine if surgery could be performed sooner. Please keep us posted!