- David Michener, 89, had been taking vitamin D supplements for at least nine months before his death.
- Complications related to excess vitamin D and calcium caused him to suffer from liver and heart failure.
- The coroner said overdosing on the vitamin could pose serious health risks.
A man who had been taking vitamin D supplements for at least nine months died from symptoms related to excessive levels in his blood. A British coroner’s report said there was no clear risk of overdose on the packaging.
David Michener, 89, a former businessman from the UK, was hospitalized on May 10th due to hypercalcemia, an extremely high level of calcium in his blood. He has weaker bones and can develop kidney problems such as kidney stones and heart problems. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so taking too much can cause calcium buildup.
Doctors tested Michener’s vitamin D levels, and the results showed they were at the maximum the laboratory could record, the report said.
Michener died 10 days later. His primary cause of death was heart and kidney failure, excessive calcium levels, and vitamin D toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis D, the report said.
Coroner Jonathan Stevens said there were also no warnings on the packaging detailing the specific risks or side effects of taking vitamin D supplements. “Vitamin supplements can pose potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” he said in the report.
Mr Stevens called on supplement manufacturers and regulators to do more to inform people about how much they should be taking. “In my opinion, if we don’t take action, we risk future deaths,” he said.
For people between the ages of 14 and 70, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 15 micrograms or 600 international units. This amounts to 20 micrograms, or 800 IU, for people over 70, according to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements.
In the United States, products sold as dietary supplements must be accompanied by a “Supplement Facts” label that lists the active ingredient, amount per serving, and other ingredients such as fillers, binders, and flavorings. . The NIH says on its website that manufacturers recommend doses, but health care providers may determine different doses for different people.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. It is found in some foods such as oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, and fortified breakfast cereals, but its main source is sunlight.
