Vital Symptoms Of Vitamin D Overdose

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Hypervitaminosis D or vitamin D toxicity is rare occurrence but potentially severe condition due to intake of higher levels of vitamin D, leading to its toxicity in the body. Excess vitamin D levels may cause calcium amounts to rise abnormally in the bloodstream, affecting tissues, bones and various organs. If it is left untreated, it may cause a rise in blood pressure, kidney damage or bone loss.

High vitamin D levels are usually attained with over dosage of vitamin D supplements and not through diet or its absorption through sun rays. It is next to impossible to get high vitamin D levels through sunlight or foods, until and unless too much of cod liver is being consumed. Vitamin toxicity needs to carefully monitor to bring the levels back to normal and avoid any severe consequences.

Major Symptoms Of Vitamin D Overdose

Hypercalcemia

High vitamin D levels in the body results in increased calcium levels resulting in hypercalcemia (high calcium levels n the blood) which show symptoms of constipation, dehydration, loss of appetite, dizziness, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, weight loss and fatigue.

Prolonged periods of vitamin D toxicity lead to complications that cause increased calcium absorption through intestine, resulting in calcification of soft tissues and arteries, resulting in abnormal heart rhythms.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur with vitamin D toxicity that majorly includes nausea, anorexia and vomiting. Such symptoms are also accompanied by polydipsia (increased thirst), polyuria (increased urination), nervousness, pruritus (itch), weakness and gradually leading to renal failure.

Elevated Protein Levels

Increased levels of protein are found in the urinary casts and urine, with build up of waste in the blood, resulting in development of specific kidney disease as a result of toxicity of vitamin D.

Long term affects of vitamin D toxicity results in complications including disorientation, confusion, kidney stones, kidney failure, and excessive bone loss.

Permanent Kidney Damage And Heart Failure

Toxicity of vitamin D for long durations results in kidney damage and heart arrhythmias due to accumulation of wastes and calcium in the blood. It becomes a fatal condition, when individual with over dosage of vitamin D undergoes dehydration or attain abnormal salt levels in the body, leading to heart arrhythmias.

Calcium deposition in the blood vessels lining leads to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. One is known to undergo ischemic heart disease, when 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels are raised above 89ng/ml in the blood.

To identify the above symptoms as the true sign of vitamin D toxicity, one need to undergo certain blood and urine tests to estimate levels of calcium in urine and serum. Also, check for elevated levels of 25hydroxyvitamin D in the blood that may rise above 150ng/ml.

Vitamin D toxicity is caused by intake of very high doses for prolonged periods or huge dose for a short period. This can be treated by discontinuing the supplementation of vitamin D and even restricting the calcium intake. For severe forms of toxicity, use of bisphosphonates or corticosteroids can be made use of, in further reducing the blood calcium levels.