Vitamin Overdose Symptoms

Vitamins are nutrients that are required in adequate amounts by the human body in order to carry out certain functions. The vitamins are classified as water soluble (vitamins B and C) and fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E and K). All the vitamins are gotten either from plant or animal sources; or from both. Lack of any vitamin in the body gives rise to a condition known as vitamin deficiency. Some vitamin deficiency diseases are quite severe medical conditions and hence, people are advised to have a balanced diet in order to prevent these conditions. There are vitamin supplements available that help to fulfill body's requirement of vitamins. However, what most people do not know is that over intake of vitamins can give rise to a condition known as the vitamin overdose. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Vitamin Overdose

As the name suggests, this condition arises when there is excess intake of any of the above mentioned vitamins. It is also known as vitamin toxicity as the excess vitamins in the body give rise to several side effects. Most of the people are aware of the deficiency diseases caused due to lack of vitamin and are intimidated by the conditions. Hence, they consume vitamin supplements or multivitamin tablets on a regular basis. Secondly, some people are advised by doctors to have vitamin supplements for a certain period of time to treat the deficiency disease. These people keep on consuming these supplements even after the deficiency is treated. Hence, the excess amount of vitamins in the body can result in vitamin overdose or toxicity. One should know that overdose of fat soluble vitamins gives rise to serious side effects as compared to that of the water soluble ones. This is because, the excess water soluble vitamins get washed out from the body, as contrary to the fat soluble ones.

Signs of Vitamin Overdose

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is primarily essential for normal vision and cell production in the body. The following are the symptoms of vitamin A overdose:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Apathy
• Stupor
• Menstrual irregularities
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash
• Joint pain
• Headache

Vitamin B
Vitamin B, also known as the B complex, is a set of vitamins like B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). The following symptoms are observed due to vitamin B overdose:

• Rapid breathing
• Pain with burning sensation
• Numbness in hands and feet
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Headache
• Depression
• Paralysis

Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is essential to enhance the immune system and also to heal wounds quicker. Vitamin C overdose symptoms include:

• Scurvy
• Kidney stones
• Diarrhea
• Hot flashes
• Upset stomach
• Insomnia

Vitamin D
Vitamin D or calciferol is required for calcium absorption as well as growth and maintenance of bones in the body. The following are the symptoms of vitamin D overdose:

• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Deafness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Bone pain

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that is also required for normal reproduction in human beings. Vitamin E overdose can lead to following side effects:

• Hypertension
• Muscular weakness
• Fatigue
• Breast tenderness
• Slow healing of wound

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an important vitamin required by the body as it helps in clotting of the blood. Vitamin K overdose symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anemia
• Diarrhea
• Skin Rash

Vitamin Overdose Treatment

It is essential to consult the doctor if any of the above mentioned symptoms are observed that persist for more than 1 day. As most of the symptoms are quite general which can be associated to any other conditions, it is essential to diagnose the condition properly. Immediately stopping the intake of vitamin supplements is the primary step in treating vitamin overdose. Secondly, the doctor may even advise to avoid eating foodstuffs that are high in respective vitamins. Thirdly, the doctor may prescribe some medications that help in treating vitamin overdose symptoms.

Vitamin overdose can be treated if timely and proper treatment is undertaken. However, one should also remember to not take vitamin supplements without the doctor's advise or prescription. Lastly, as a preventive measure, it is also necessary to check the label of multivitamins and supplements to be on the safer side. Take care!