Vitamin D toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis D, is a rare condition that occurs when you have too much vitamin D in your body. This is most often caused by taking high doses of vitamin D supplements, typically over a long period of time. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it gets stored in your body fat and isn’t easily eliminated.

Causes of Vitamin D Toxicity

Excessive intake of vitamin D supplements: This is the most common cause. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin D set by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is 4,000 IU/day for adults. Taking doses significantly exceeding this amount for months or years can lead to toxicity.

Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of vitamin D toxicity, such as sarcoidosis, which can cause your body to produce too much of the active form of vitamin D.

Certain medications: Taking medications like calcitriol or digoxin, which can increase calcium levels in your blood, can also increase your risk of vitamin D toxicity if you’re also taking high doses of vitamin D supplements.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity

The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are mainly due to hypercalcemia, which means an excess of calcium in your bloodstream. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may develop gradually over time. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
  Loss of appetite
  Constipation
  Weakness and fatigue
  Frequent urination
  Dehydration
  Kidney stones
  Muscle pain
  Confusion
  High blood pressure

Diagnosis of Vitamin D Toxicity

A blood test can measure your blood calcium level and your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, which is an indicator of your total vitamin D stores in the body. If your calcium level is high and your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is very high, you may have vitamin D toxicity.

Treatment of Vitamin D Toxicity

The treatment for vitamin D toxicity will depend on the severity of your symptoms. In mild cases, stopping the intake of all vitamin D supplements may be enough to allow your calcium levels to return to normal. In more severe cases, you may need intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and medications to lower your blood calcium levels.

Prevention of Vitamin D Toxicity

The best way to prevent vitamin D toxicity is to follow the recommended daily intake levels for vitamin D and to get your vitamin D levels checked regularly through blood tests, especially if you are taking high doses of vitamin D supplements. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the appropriate dose of vitamin D for you, considering your individual needs and risk factors.

Vitamin D toxicity, or hypervitaminosis D, occurs when you have too much vitamin D in your body. While vitamin D is essential, excessive amounts can lead to problems.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity?

These symptoms are primarily caused by high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia). They can be mild or severe and develop gradually. Here are some common ones:

• Digestive issues: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation
• Fatigue and weakness
• Increased urination and dehydration
• Kidney problems: Can include kidney stones and even kidney failure in severe cases
• Muscle pain
• Mental confusion and high blood pressure (rare)

What Happens if Vitamin D is Too High?

Excess vitamin D disrupts calcium regulation in the body. Normally, calcium is tightly controlled, moving between bones and blood. With too much vitamin D, calcium levels in the blood rise excessively. This high calcium disrupts various bodily functions, leading to the symptoms mentioned earlier.

What is a toxic level of vitamin D in ng?

It’s important to note that a single safe level of vitamin D doesn’t exist for everyone. Factors like age, overall health, and sun exposure influence what’s considered toxic. However, generally, a blood level exceeding 200 ng/mL of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the storage form) is indicative of potential toxicity.

Is 5,000 IU of Vitamin D Too Much?

The tolerable upper intake level (UL) set by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is 4,000 IU/day for adults. So, 5,000 IU daily might be too much for some individuals, especially if they get significant vitamin D from sun exposure or fortified foods.

Here’s the key takeaway: Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate vitamin D dosage for you. They can consider your individual needs, risk factors, and current vitamin D levels to provide personalized guidance.