![vitamin d overdose](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/fish-oil-vitamin-d-softgels-pills-medication-omega.jpg?output-quality=75)
Excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to various health problems. The maximum safe intake or the upper limit of vitamin D varies according to factors, such as age and special situations (pregnancy, lactation). Studies suggest that intake of more than 5,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day may cause chronic toxicity in adults. In infants, younger than six months old, amounts as low as 1,000 IU per day could be harmful.
Age group | The daily upper limit of vitamin D |
---|---|
0 to 6 months | 25 mcg* (1,000 IU**) |
7 to 12 months | 38 mcg (1,500 IU) |
1 to 3 years | 63 mcg (2,500 IU) |
4 to 8 years | 75 mcg (3,000 IU) |
9 years and older | 100 mcg (4,000 IU) |
Special situations | |
Pregnancy | 100 mcg (4,000 IU) |
Lactation (breastfeeding) | 100 mcg (4,000 IU) |
*Micrograms **International units |
What are the signs of excessive vitamin D in your body?
Excessive vitamin D or vitamin D toxicity may cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Bone pain
- Backache
- Muscle weakness
- Excessive thirst
- Dizziness
- Frequent urination
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Extremely high levels of vitamin D can lead to serious conditions, such as kidney failure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and even death if left untreated.
The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity in infants and young children can present differently than in adults. Infants may become lethargic or drowsy, while also showing signs of poor feeding and inconsolable crying. Toddlers may present with symptoms, such as vomiting, irritability and constipation. Additionally, they may have a raised blood pressure (hypertension) on clinical examination.
What is the cause of vitamin D toxicity?
Vitamin D toxicity typically occurs due to excessive intake of vitamin D supplements and does not occur due to dietary intake of vitamin D or sun exposure. This is because the intake of the vitamin through foods, including fortified foods, is not sufficient enough to cause toxicity. Furthermore, the body regulates the production of vitamin D due to sun exposure. Essentially, natural sources do not cause vitamin D toxicity.
How is vitamin D toxicity diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose vitamin D toxicity through the following ways:
- Taking a detailed medical history
- Performing a thorough physical examination
- Conducting investigations, such as
- Electrocardiogram to look for the signs of excessive calcium in the blood or hypercalcemia caused by excessive vitamin D
- Blood tests including serum calcium, vitamin D levels and kidney function tests
- X-ray
What is the treatment for vitamin D toxicity?
Vitamin D toxicity (hypervitaminosis D) treatment mainly involves the following:
- Stopping the further intake of vitamin D
- Restricting calcium intake in the diet
- Oxygen support
- Increasing excretion of calcium through stools by administering calcium disodium edetate orally
- Intravenous fluids
- Diuretics or water pills
- Other medications, such as corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, calcitonin and mithramycin
- Dialysis (peritoneal or hemodialysis) could be needed in some patients
- Other treatment measures for symptomatic relief
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/vitamins-supplements/vitamins-supplements-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
National Institutes of Health. Vitamin D. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Top How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much Related Articles
calcifediol
Calcifediol is a medication used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by vitamin D deficiency in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects of calcifediol include high calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), high phosphorous in the blood (hyperphosphatemia), high potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), high level of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia), increase in serum creatinine, low red blood cell count (anemia), contusion, inflammation of the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis), bronchial inflammation (bronchitis), cough, shortness of breath (dyspnea), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, heart failure, degeneration and inflammation of joints (osteoarthritis), adynamic bone disease, and constipation. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.Does Vitamin D Protect Against COVID-19?
COVID-19 or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It manifests as mild to moderate respiratory illness in most people who may not require any special treatment. Certain high-risk groups, such as older people and people with underlying health conditions (chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases), are more likely to get seriously ill.How Do I Know If I Am Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps your body function properly. The best way to find out if you are getting enough vitamin D through your lifestyle and diet is to take the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test.How Do You Know if You're Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an important hormone in your body that helps you regulate your calcium and phosphorus balance and bone density. The best way to know if you’re getting enough vitamin D is if you get the recommended amount in your diet.Lactose Intolerant? How to Get Calcium and Vitamin D
See how to eat right when dairy gives you stomach problems. WebMD shows you ways to get calcium and vitamin D through lactose-free milk, foods, and the sun.multivitamins
Multivitamins are a combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients used to supplement nutritional deficiency and help maintain good health and normal functioning of the body. Common side effects of multivitamins include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark stools, and constipation. Do not give adult multivitamin preparations to children. Multivitamins at recommended doses are generally safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Multivitamins cannot replace a healthy diet.What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency?
What is vitamin D deficiency? Learn the signs of vitamin D deficiency and what foods you can eat to help prevent vitamin D deficiency.Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with rickets, cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe asthma in children and cognitive impairment in older adults. Causes include not ingesting enough of the vitamin over time, having limited exposure to sunlight, having dark skin, and obesity. Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness. Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves obtaining more vitamin D through supplements, diet, or exposure to sunlight.Vitamin D Quiz
What happens to the body when there is a vitamin D deficiency? Take the Vitamin D Quiz to find out what you may be missing.Vitamins and Calcium Supplements
Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body. Calcium is a mineral essential for healthy bones and is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, and normal blood clotting. Check out the center below for more medical references on vitamins and calcium supplements, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.Is It Better to Take Vitamins in the Morning or Night?
Doctors recommend multivitamins for certain vitamin deficiencies. If you're taking a vitamin supplement for any type of vitamin deficiency, you should try to take it at a time when your body can best absorb it.Vitamins and Supplements: Foods High in Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system -- your body's defense against germs. Find out which foods are the best source of this nutrient.What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for our bodies. Learn about eight benefits of vitamin D, how to know if you’re getting enough vitamin D, and what to eat to increase vitamin D in your body.What Foods Are Highest in Vitamin D?
What are the foods highest in Vitamin D? Learn about the best sources to make sure this vitamin is included in your diet.What Is the Test for Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in calcium absorption to give you healthy and strong bones. The test for measuring vitamin D involves measuring the levels of the vitamin in a blood sample drawn from your vein.What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Ringing in the Ears?
Ringing in the ears has been linked to vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies. Treating an underlying cause of tinnitus such as a vitamin deficiency may help relieve symptoms.