Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, works with calcium in your body to build and maintain strong bones, helps regulate your immune system, and may help prevent cancer, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Your body makes and stores vitamin D when you expose your skin to sunlight. There are two forms of vitamin D: ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2, and cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3. You cannot get too much vitamin D from overexposure to the sun, although vitamin D toxicity can occur from taking supplements.
Increased Calcium
A serious side effect of vitamin D toxicity is that it can raise your blood calcium level, leading to vascular and tissue calcification. This can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. You may be especially at risk of an increased calcium level if you have hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or histoplasmosis. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, one study reports postmenopausal women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements are at an increased risk of kidney stones.
Nonspecific Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that can result from taking too much vitamin D. These include excessive thirst, poor appetite, weight loss, bone pain, tiredness and sore eyes, itchy skin, vomiting and muscle problems. You may also experience a metal taste in your mouth, diarrhea, constipation and a frequent need to urinate. Taking vitamin D at amounts above tolerable upper intake levels are associated with a greater risk of certain cancers such as pancreas cancer, as well as a greater risk of cardiovascular events, and more falls and fractures in the elderly, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Recommended Intake
Knowing the recommended daily intake levels of vitamin D may help you avoid taking too much. Remember to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, including vitamin D, as they may interact with other medications. Your doctor can also advise what dose is best for you. The adequate intake (AI) from birth to 12 month of age is 400 IU daily. From the ages of 1 to 70, children, men and women, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, need 600 IU daily. Those over the age of 70 need 800 IU daily.
Too Much Vitamin D
There are also guidelines for the tolerable upper intake levels of vitamin D. Babies from birth to 6 months of age should not exceed 1,000 IU daily, while those 7 to 12 years old should not consume more than 1,500 IU. Toddlers 1 to 3 years of age should stay below 2,500 IU and kids 4 to 8 should not exceed 3,000 IU. Anyone who is age 9 or older should not take more than 4,000 IU daily.
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