Vitamin D plays a crucial role in building and maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D is also essential for the bones and teeth, brain health and regulating inflammation. Although the body can create vitamin D from sunlight, some people develop deficiencies and to treat this deficiency, doctors often prescribe Vitamin D supplements. But how much vitamin D is too much?
Earlier this year, a man from Surrey, United Kingdom (UK) died as his vitamin D levels were at a higher level. Reportedly, he was on vitamin D supplements nine months before his death. The man was suffering from hypercalcemia, or high amounts of calcium, which is caused by high levels of vitamin D in the body.
Ideally, the amount of vitamin D in a human body should be 10 micrograms per day. Dr Tarun Sahni, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi explains that excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to a condition known as vitamin D toxicity.
“The toxicity typically occurs when an individual ingests excessive amounts of vitamin D supplements or inadvertently consumes high doses of vitamin D. When vitamin D levels in the body become excessively high, it can lead to hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels in the blood). This disturbance can have widespread systemic effects, including impaired renal function, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular complications. In severe cases, hypercalcemia can lead to life-threatening complications, such as coma,” Dr. Sahni told Financial Express.com.
It is important to note that vitamin D toxicity is a potentially life-threatening condition, and individuals should consult with their healthcare provider before initiating or modifying vitamin D supplementation, especially in cases of underlying medical conditions, he warned.
‘Vitamin D can stay in the body for long time’
Dr Surender Kumar, Senior Consultant Endocrinology & Diabetes, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital revealed that vitamin D is Oil soluble vitamin, hence it stays in the body for a long period.
“If excess vitamin D is taken or injected in the body for a long period of time, the body reabsorbs more of Vitamin D 25, which gets converted into an active form of vitamin D which absorbs excess calcium from the gut. This excess of calcium in the blood needs to be thrown out, which is the job of the kidney. Hence, more calcium is to be filtered by the kidney due to over deposit of calcium. Since kidneys are unable to do this, the calcium gets deposited in various parts of the body leading to hypercalcemia which also leads to deposits of calcium in the arteries and other parts of the body. This leads to acute pancreatitis. The deposits of calcium in the arteries lead to ischemic disease leading to heart problems and deposits of calcium in other parts, like ligaments disturb the normal functioning of the body,” Dr. Kumar told Financial Express.com.
He also highlighted that very high level of calcium in the body can lead to disturbance of functions of the brain and the patient may suffer from severe hyperventilation.
“…high levels of Vitamin D in body can prove to be fatal too,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Dinesh Khullar, Chairman, Department of Nephrology & Renal Transplant Medicine, Max Superspecialty Hospital Saket, New Delhi warned that excessive consumption of vitamin D3 can cause hypervitaminosis D, leading to kidney failure.
“Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, but excessive levels can cause hypercalcemia. This can damage the kidneys causing acute kidney injury (AKI), impairing their ability to filter waste products and regulate electrolytes,” Dr. Khullar told Financial Express.com.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity?
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include:
- constipation,
- anorexia,
- dehydration,
- fatigue,
- and vomiting.
“It is therefore essential to follow recommended daily allowances and consult healthcare professionals before taking high-dose vitamin D supplements to prevent adverse effects on kidney function,” Dr. Khullar said.
Regular monitoring of vitamin D levels is also prudent for those taking supplements, he emphasised.
“Very high blood calcium levels causing kidney damage need prompt attention and treatment which includes cessation of supplements, adequate hydration & in a few cases may require medicines to lower the levels, and rarely even dialysis. Since the vitamin is fat soluble, it may have a prolonged effect requiring observation for several weeks even after stopping the supplement,” he added.
