Overdosing on vitamin D may cause vitamin D toxicity, a condition also referred to as hypervitaminosis D. One of the primary roles vitamin D plays in your body involves calcium absorption. Consequently, when you consume too much vitamin D, your blood levels of calcium also rise significantly. If you are taking vitamin D supplements, talk with your doctor about how to identify the signs and symptoms of vitamin D overdose.
Causes
Taking high doses of vitamin D supplements on a regular basis is the primary cause of vitamin D overdose. Though your body produces vitamin D when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun, it is not possible to overdose on vitamin D from getting too much sunlight. The recommended daily dose of vitamin D for people between ages 1 and 70 is 600 IU, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. Adults above age 70 should consume 800 IU daily to keep their bones healthy and strong. People ages 9 and older are at risk of developing vitamin D overdose symptoms if they consume in excess of 4,000 IU vitamin D each day. Children aged 4 to 8 or 1 to 3 years should not consume more than 3,000 IU or 2,500 IU, respectively. Additionally, infants ages 0 to 6 months should not ingest more than 1,000 IU vitamin D daily, while the upper tolerable limit for infants ages 7 to 12 months is 1,500 IU vitamin D each day.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a vitamin D overdose typically occur because high vitamin D levels cause increased calcium absorption. Elevated calcium levels, also called hypercalcemia, may initially cause stomach discomfort, nausea, constipation, increased urination, appetite loss and unintended weight loss. You may also feel unusually weak, irritable or fatigued, which may interfere with your ability to complete your normal daily activities. Seek further evaluation and care from your medical provider if you develop any symptoms of a vitamin D overdose.
Complications
If the initial symptoms of vitamin D overdose are left untreated or undetected, you may develop more severe health complications. Persistently high blood levels of vitamin D may cause dehydration or kidney stones. You may also experience heart rate changes, kidney damage or vital organ calcification. Without proper medical intervention, these complications of a vitamin D overdose may be life-threatening.
Treatment
The simplest way to treat a vitamin D overdose is to stop taking vitamin D supplements. Your health provider may also recommend maintaining a low-calcium diet for several weeks to help your calcium levels return to normal. Depending upon the severity of your condition, your health provider may also recommend treatment with certain medications, such as bisphosphonates or corticosteroids. These medications aid in the prevention of calcium release from your bones.
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