Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient found in minor amounts in certain foods, particularly oily fishes suchs as tuna, sardines and herring. The majority of vitamin D in your body is produced by your skin after exposure to sunlight. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, excess amounts of the vitamin are stored in fat tissues, which can lead to overdose symptoms. Overdoses of vitamin D are almost never caused by foods or exposure to sunlight, most overdoses of vitamin D result from taking supplements. As with any health supplement, you should consult your doctor before taking vitamin D.
General Symptoms
Side effects of vitamin D usually occur only after taking very large doses of vitamin D, such as doses that are larger than 4,000 international units per day, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine. General symptoms of vitamin D overdose include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and an unusual metallic taste in the mouth. In certain cases, anorexia and unintended weight loss may also occur.
Fatigue and Mental Effects
Overdosing on vitamin D has been reported to cause fatigue, muscle weakness and sleepiness. Mental effects may also develop, such as a headache or irritability. Long-term exposure to high levels of vitamin D may potentially cause physical or mental retardation, according to Colorado State University.
Increased Calcium Levels
Vitamin D is closely linked to the regulation of calcium levels in the body. Exposure to high doses of vitamin D can cause the body to mobilize calcium that is stored in bones and release it into the bloodstream. When bones lose calcium, they become much weaker, which increases the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Heart and Kidney Damage
High levels of calcium in the blood can have several adverse effects on other parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. When levels of calcium in the blood are raised, calcification of the blood vessels may occur, leading to hardening of the arteries, which is also known as atherosclerosis. Elevated calcium levels can also cause damage to the heart and increase the risk of heart disease. The risk of kidney stone formation is also increased by high levels of calcium in the blood.
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