Ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2, is commonly found in milk and supplements and is essential for calcium absorption and bone development. It is used to treat hypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia, and refractory rickets, but caution is advised for patients with hypercalcemia or malabsorption syndrome. Excessive intake can lead to toxicity and symptoms such as constipation and muscle weakness. Treatment for hypervitaminosis D includes a low calcium diet and hydration. Sunlight is the most convenient source of vitamin D.
Ergocalciferol is a form of vitamin D known as vitamin D2. It is the form of vitamin D that is often incorporated into milk and nutritional supplements. This vitamin compound is readily available as a commercial alternative to organic vitamin D byproducts found naturally in the environment. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous in the body which leads to the development of stronger bones and teeth.
One use of ergocalciferol is for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is a condition in which the parathyroid glands, located in the neck, insufficiently release parathyroid hormones. Parathyroid hormones are generally responsible for the balance of calcium in the blood. When calcium is insufficient, the body becomes prone to bone breakdown, or osteoporosis.
Ergocalciferol is also given to patients with familial hypophosphatemia, a rare inherited disease in which vitamin D metabolism is impaired and phosphate transport is impaired. Ergocalciferol is also used to treat patients with refractory rickets or rickets that does not respond to vitamin D treatment. Rickets is a common childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is manifested by weakening of the bones, which often results in deformities and bone fractures.
Vitamin D supplements should be given with caution specifically to patients with hypercalcemia, or elevated levels of calcium in the blood, and those with malabsorption syndrome, which is the inability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. Ergocalciferol is also not recommended in people with hypervitaminosis D or elevated levels of vitamin D in the blood. Too much vitamin D in the blood is toxic to the body and can lead to dehydration, kidney stones, and kidney damage.
Symptoms of increased ergocalciferol levels in the body are constipation, irritability, decreased appetite, and muscle weakness. Other notable side effects include soft tissue calcification, osteoporosis, and gastric disorders. Prolonged intake of ergocalciferol can cause weight loss and anemia in some patients. It can also lead to mental retardation.
Hypervitaminosis D is treated with a low calcium diet and withdrawal of the supplement. Hydration is also very important to dilute calcium deposits in the blood and prevent calcification or hardening of the tissues. Some patients may require hospitalization to receive an intravenous saline infusion, which can help excrete calcium from the kidneys. An intravenous saline infusion is the administration of fluids and other substances through the patient’s veins.
There are several sources of vitamin D. One is through nutritional supplements in the form of ergocalciferol. Foods such as sardines, cod liver oil, and egg yolks are also high in vitamin D. However, the most convenient source of vitamin D is sunlight.
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