Vitamin D Overdose

Vitamins are nutrients that are required for normal functioning of our body. There are various types of vitamin viz., vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K, etc. that carry out different functions in our body. Vitamins can be water-soluble as well as fat-soluble and can be obtained from plant sources as well as animal sources.

An Overview on Vitamin D
It is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption in our body. Among the 5 types of vitamin D (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5); D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) are the most important and essential ones. Vitamin D is very important for metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and also for maintaining their normal levels in the body. This helps in making the bones stronger and prevention of diseases like rickets, osteomalacia and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also very essential in proper functioning of the immune system. Direct sunlight is the most important and major source of vitamin D, but, it can also be obtained from milk, egg yolk, fish, liver and cod liver oil. Although it is required in lesser amounts, it is necessary to have adequate dosage in order to prevent deficiency diseases. However, in some cases, due to some reasons, excess amount of D vitamin is found in the body of a person. This is known as vitamin D overdose or hypervitaminosis of vitamin D. Let us know more on it.

Overdose
As mentioned above, the daily requirement of vitamin D is very low in human beings. In case of adults, only 5 mcg (200 IU) vitamin is required, i.e., 1-10 minutes of exposure to the sun everyday. However, if a person consumes larger doses of vitamin D for a longer period, he is bound to suffer from overdose. Overdose occurs neither due to over exposure to sunlight nor from consuming high amounts of food rich in it. On the contrary, it occurs when a person has a larger intake of vitamin D supplements or consumes cod liver oil in larger amounts everyday. As it is a fat soluble vitamin, it does not get washed out from the body; rather gets stored, which results in severe side effects. One should remember that the dosage of vitamin D varies according to age and diet pattern. Lack of awareness of this fact can lead to vitamin overdose in people.

Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms are not specific and hence, it is difficult to identify and diagnose this condition. The following are the signs to look for.

• Muscle weakness
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Nervousness
• General weakness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Dehydration

Apart from these symptoms, several side effects are observed if the levels of vitamin D increase excessively. It can lead to kidney stone or even complete renal failure. On the other hand, it increases the risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure and also, malfunction of other vital organs. In case of pregnant women, vitamin D overdose can lead to mental retardation in babies.

Treatment
If one experiences any of the above mentioned symptoms, he should consult the doctor as soon as possible to avoid further health risks. If diagnosed with overdose, the person is advised to immediately restrict the intake of vitamin D through any source. The doctor will also prescribe medications to treat the symptoms of hypervitaminosis. As aforementioned, overdose usually occurs due to excess consumption of supplements; therefore, one should have vitamin supplements only by a medical practitioner's prescription or recommendation. Also, it should be stopped immediately if any side effects are observed.

We should remember that vitamins should be taken in only those quantities that are required and never in excess. One should be well aware of the consequences of overdose and prevent it from occurring. This information is not to be substituted for proper medical advice and treatment. Take care!