Excessive vitamin D intake can cause gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure, hypercalcemia, seizures, and deafness. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight exposure and certain foods, but overdoses usually occur from supplements. Symptoms of an overdose include nausea, vomiting, constipation, high blood pressure, and hypercalcemia.
While vitamin D is essential for a healthy lifestyle, too much can cause health problems. Gastrointestinal problems and high blood pressure are known side effects of excessive vitamin D intake. More serious side effects include hypercalcemia, seizures, and deafness.
Vitamin D is introduced into the body in a variety of ways, but usually through exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light from sunlight. After exposure to direct sunlight, the body is able to generate its own vitamin D, and about 30 minutes of daily sunlight exposure can provide enough vitamin D for an adult. Vitamin D can also be supplied by some foods, such as oily fish and mushrooms, as well as foods that have been fortified with vitamin D, including some types of milk and cheese. Many people increase their vitamin D intake with supplements such as cod liver oil tablets or vitamins.
It is extremely difficult, and some doctors say it is nearly impossible, to experience a vitamin D overdose from sun exposure or diet alone. An overdose usually occurs when too many supplements are added to the diet, in the form of vitamins or cod liver oil. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 2,000 international units (IU) for adults, however some doctors indicate that a higher dose of vitamin D may result in greater health benefits. While the exact dosage is under debate, most cases of vitamin D overdose have occurred in individuals taking approximately 40,000 IU per day.
An overdose of vitamin D can lead to gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting or constipation. Those experiencing an overdose may also experience a loss of appetite. These problems are usually the initial indicators of an overdose.
Another relatively common symptom of a vitamin D overdose is high blood pressure, also known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and even prolonged high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure. Other less common side effects of too much vitamin D include seizures, blindness, deafness and high cholesterol levels.
One of the major side effects of a vitamin D overdose is hypercalcemia, which occurs when too much vitamin D in the body causes too much calcium to be absorbed. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include dehydration accompanied by excessive thirst, muscle aches and weakness, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Left untreated, hypercalcemia can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, kidney stones, or even kidney failure.
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