Vitamin D plays an important role in building and maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D is also essential for bones and teeth, brain health, and regulating inflammation. Although the body can produce vitamin D from sunlight, some people develop a deficiency, and doctors often prescribe vitamin D supplements to treat this deficiency. But how much vitamin D is in excess?
Earlier this year, a man in Surrey, England, died due to high vitamin D levels. He was reportedly taking vitamin D supplements nine months before his death. The man was suffering from hypercalcemia, or hypercalcemia, caused by high levels of vitamin D in the body.
Ideally, the amount of vitamin D in the human body should be 10 micrograms per day.Dr. Tarun Sahni, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
“This toxicity typically occurs when individuals take excessive amounts of vitamin D supplements or inadvertently ingest high doses of vitamin D. This disorder can cause a wide range of systemic effects, including impaired renal function, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular complications.In severe cases, hypercalcemia can be life-threatening.
It is important to note that vitamin D toxicity is a potentially life-threatening condition and you should consult your health care provider before starting or changing vitamin D supplementation, especially if you have an underlying medical condition. He warned that there is.
“Vitamin D can stay in the body for a long time.”
Dr Surender Kumar, Senior Consultant, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, revealed that vitamin D remains in the body for a long time as it is an oil-soluble vitamin.
“When excess vitamin D is ingested or injected into the body over a long period of time, the body reabsorbs more of the vitamin D, converting it to active vitamin D, and absorbing excess calcium from the intestines. Excess calcium has to be excreted, which is the job of the kidneys. Therefore, with excessive calcium deposits, more calcium is filtered out by the kidneys, so the kidneys are unable to do this. It is deposited in various parts, causing hypercalcemia and calcium deposits in the arteries and other parts of the body. This causes acute pancreatitis. Calcium deposits in the arteries cause ischemic disease. Calcium deposits in other parts of the body, such as ligaments, can cause problems and interfere with the normal functioning of the body,” Dr Kumar said. financialexpress.com.
He also emphasized that very high calcium levels in the body can cause brain dysfunction and cause patients to severely hyperventilate.
“…high levels of vitamin D in the body can also be fatal,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Dinesh Kural, head of nephrology and kidney transplant medicine at Max Superspecialty Hospital Saket in New Delhi, warned that too much vitamin D3 can lead to vitamin D hyperemia, which can lead to kidney failure. .
“Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, but excessive levels can cause hypercalcemia. This damages the kidneys and causes acute kidney injury (AKI), which makes it difficult to filter waste products and remove electrolytes. Your ability to adjust can be impaired,” Dr. Klar told Financial Express.com.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity?
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include:
- constipation,
- anorexia,
- dehydration,
- Malaise,
- And vomiting.
“Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the recommended daily intake and consult a health care professional before taking high-dose vitamin D supplements to prevent adverse effects on kidney function,” says Dr. Klar. Stated.
Regularly monitoring vitamin D levels is also wise for people taking supplements, he stressed.
“Very high blood calcium levels that cause kidney damage require prompt attention and treatment, including stopping supplements and drinking plenty of fluids. Also, in some cases, medications are required to lower the levels. In some cases, dialysis may be required.” Because this vitamin is fat-soluble, the effects may persist even after supplementation is stopped and should be monitored for several weeks.” he added.
