High Vitamin D Levels

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D and so this vitamin is also referred to as 'sunshine vitamin'. The vitamin plays an important role in maintaining the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. It is an essential vitamin which comes in several forms like D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. Only D2 and D3 are made available through vitamin supplements. Sunlight and certain natural foods like tuna, mackerel, cod liver oil, fortified milk and juice, etc. provide vitamin D. Poor diet and lack of exposure to sun can result in vitamin D deficiency. Doctors prescribe vitamin D supplements when they notice deficiency symptoms like weak bones, weak immune system, insomnia, mood swings, etc. Excessive consumption of the supplements can lead to high vitamin D levels.

Normal Levels of Vitamin D in Blood

The normal range of vitamin D for healthy adults is 30 to 74 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter). The value may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory and also from country to country. The level lower than 30 ng/ml, indicates deficiency of the vitamin while the level above 74 ng/ml suggests elevated levels of the vitamin. This condition is also known as 'hypervitaminosis D'. Here is the required information regarding recommended daily dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin D.

• Infants (0-12) months: 400 IU (10 mcg)
• Kids (1-13) years: 600 IU (15 mcg)
• Children (14-18 years): 600 IU (15 mcg)
• Adults (19-70 years): 600 IU (15 mcg)
• Adults above 70 years: 800 IU (20 mcg)
• Pregnant Women (14-50 years): 600 IU (15 mcg)
• Lactating women (14-50 years): 600 IU (15 mcg)

This much vitamin D can be got simply by few minutes of exposure to sunlight.

Symptoms of Increased Levels of Vitamin D

Over exposure to sunlight or excessive intake of the foods rich in the vitamin does not cause high vitamin D levels. Excessive consumption of the vitamin supplements can result in side effects. If more than 1000 IU of vitamin D is consumed by an adult, vitamin d overdose symptoms are noticed. The dosage may vary according to the age and diet of a person. Vitamin D being a fat soluble vitamin, the excess is not flushed away from the body along with excess water. Excessively consumed vitamin D gets stored in the body which then exhibits harmful symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Anorexia, eating disorder
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Constipation
• Weight loss
• Nervousness, depression
• Weakness
• Increased irritability
• Fatigue
• Heart arrhythmia
• Kidney stone, polyuria or even complete renal failure.

Increased levels of vitamin D can raise blood calcium levels which might result in vascular and tissue calcification. This can damage the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys of the person. To avoid vitamin D side effects, you should always consult a doctor for correct dosage of the supplement and should follow the instructions regarding the dosage religiously.

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for Vitamin D

• Infants (0-6 months): 1000 IU (25 mcg)
• Infants (7-12 months): 1500 IU (38 mcg)
• Kids (1-3 years): 2500 IU (63 mcg)
• Kids (4-8 years): 3000 IU (75 mcg)
• Children and Adults (above 9 or of 9 years): 4000 IU (100 mcg)
• Pregnant and lactating women: 4000 IU (100 mcg)

High vitamin D levels in blood is not a common situation but one should always take care while taking vitamin supplements. Actually, all vitamins help strengthen your immune system and boost your energy levels significantly. But it should be kept in mind that not only vitamin deficiencies but vitamin toxicity can result in several health complications. A healthy diet and good eating habits with regular exercises help maintain normal levels of vitamins and other nutrients. For vitamin D deficiency, it is always better to incorporate foods that are rich in this vitamin, in your diet. You may increase the intake of cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna, milk, yogurt, margarine, beef liver, sardines, eggs, cheese, fortified cereals and fruits, instead of taking the supplements.