Vitamin D Overdose Treatment

It is extremely important for patients to carefully monitor their vitamin D dosages, as any miscalculations can lead to serious repercussions. This nutrient is not water-soluble and this is why, the body cannot get rid of it easily. So, when a vitamin D overdose occurs, it is through medical intervention that the excess amount of the vitamin may be flushed out from the body. 1,000 International Units (IU) is the amount of vitamin D, which should not be exceeded by an adult each day. With every exposure to the Sun, the body creates Vitamin D, and it also receives the nutrient from various food sources. So, when the total consumption exceeds beyond the value I have mentioned, it might be the beginning of trouble.

What Leads to Vitamin D Overdose?

The amount of vitamin D that we require is relatively low when compared to other vitamins and minerals. A mere 10-15 minutes of exposure to sunlight and that too three times a week, is known to be enough to meet the requirements to generate vitamin D in the body. As we are aware, this is a natural process, and so it would not harm the body in any way. This is due to the fact that, once the body's requirement for the vitamin is met, there is an automatic shutdown of the manufacturing process. And whatever amounts of vitamin D we receive from foods, are too low to cause an overdose.

The body does have the automatic shutdown feature for the natural process of absorption of vitamin D, but does not for supplemental vitamin preparations. So if the intake of such supplements continue even after the body has met its requirements, the vitamin D builds up to toxic levels. This gives rise to a medical condition known as Hypervitaminosis D. People who stay in a high risk zone to develop the overdose are ones who suffer from rickets or any other condition caused due to vitamin D deficienc.

Vitamin D Overdose Symptoms and Treatment Options

The excessive build up of vitamin D tends to affect different parts of the body such as the soft tissue including the kidneys, heart and lungs, the urinary tract region, nervous system and muscles. With the kidneys and other soft tissues, the symptoms caused by the overdose may include calcification, and with the urinary tract, urinary stones. When the nervous system is affected, symptoms like feeling of numbness, tingling in hands and feet, burning, and prickling sensations may arise. These may be accompanied with pain, reflex disorders and problems with taste, and sensitivity to temperature. Other symptoms associated with muscles include muscle pain, muscle in-coordination, cramps, stiffness and weakness in the muscles. Vitamin D overdose also causes fatigue, vomiting, nausea, constipation, abnormal weight loss, nervousness, increased irritability and even dehydration.

So an important aspect of the treatment of an overdose of vitamin D is that if the intake of the supplements is followed by any of these symptoms, then it would be a wise deal to get yourself checked at the doctor's. Otherwise, there might occur bouts of health risks with aggravating symptoms. Usually and due to obvious reasons, when a patient is diagnosed with vitamin D overdose, he/she is advised to discontinue the use of the supplements. Doctors might recommend prescription-strength medications to manage the condition of hypervitaminosis.

Dosages of vitamin D must be administered according to what the doctor advises. Also, it is equally beneficial to keep yourself abreast about symptoms that indicate an overdose of this supplement so that you receive prompt medical help and reduce severe complications.