Just what are the most common vitamin D side effects? With the supplement craze sweeping the nation, many people are popping numerous vitamins in order to regain or enhance their health. However, even natural herbal substances should be treated with the proper caution.
Vitamin D is one of the most popular supplements and also one of the most beneficial to your health. Vitamin D taken from the sun’s rays, as well as foods like fish and fortified orange juice are vital to our health and bodily development.
Despite the benefits of Vitamin D, many people discover they are deficient, thus turn to supplements. In their eagerness to correct the problem, a few individuals may consume too much vitamin D, assuming it will have a better impact. They also mistakenly assume that an herbal supplement cannot harm them. Wrong!
As set by the Institute of Medicine, the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D is 4,000 IU for adults and 2,500 for children. Many alternative health practitioners find this a bit conservative and recommend up to 10,000 IU for adults. Studies have shown that in people who took 50,000 and more IU per day experienced symptoms of vitamin D toxicity after a number of months.
Below are the common side effects that signal a vitamin D overdose; since you are interested in the vitamin D side effects, here is what you need to be aware of:
• Hypercalcemia – an excessive amount of calcium in the bloodstream.
Vitamin D normally assists in the absorption of calcium. However, too much of even a beneficial element can he harmful.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bone and muscle weakness
• Organ calcification
• Mood changes
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Kidney stones
• Heart Disease
• Eye sensitivity
• Itchy Skin
• Chest pains
• Constipation
Treatment for Vitamin D Side Effects:
If you are on a high dose of vitamin D and are experiencing any of the symptoms above, stop immediately. Consult your doctor immediately, who will conduct blood tests to identify the level of vitamin D and calcium in your blood. They will also check for damage to the liver and kidneys, amongst other things.
If your doctor does find that you are suffering from vitamin D toxicity, you will be placed on a diet to restrict the amount of calcium you consume until your body is rebalanced. Oral medication will also be prescribed to combat organ calcification and allow the body to release the toxicity.
Severe cases of overdose may require the person to be hospitalized and be given fluid and medication intravenously in order to flush the body and restore balance. The doctor will also be checking for organ and tissue damage du to calcification. If there is damage, additional treatment may be needed and depending on the severity, may span the rest of the person’s life.
Vitamin D and Pets
Interestingly enough, excess vitamin D can also affect pets. Some pet food can be over-fortified with vitamins and depending on the age and body composition of the animal, it can cause vitamin D toxicity.
Pets have similar symptoms to humans, but they can present much quicker and be more severe. Animals will develop excess calcium in their blood, similar to humans and are also at risk for seizures and renal failure.
To reduce the excess vitamin D and calcium in animals, they are given fluid diuretics to stimulate the expulsion of the excess calcium, basically flushing out their bodies. Once their levels are reduced, the animal can go back on solid foods, but must be monitored closely, with its calcium levels checked every 24-48 hours. The animal’s food will most likely need to be changed. Also, follow up checkups are necessary in the upcoming years to rule out any long term side effects.
Although infrequent, vitamin D side effects are possible. Staying within the recommended range for daily supplementation can avoid this and keep you on the road to optimal health.