Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is also responsible for regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood. Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but you can also find vitamin D in seafood and in dairy products such as butter and cheese. A deficiency of vitamin D and excessive intake can both cause problems.
Chest Pain, Swelling and Shortness of Breath
Vitamin D intake may rarely cause an allergic reaction, Drugs.com explains. You may experience shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. Your face, mouth and throat area may swell, and you may also experience pains in your chest. Rashes may also appear on your skin. If you experience these symptoms, you should stop taking your vitamin D supplement. Seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms are severe.
Hypercalcemia or Osteoporosis
The recommended daily does of vitamin D is about 200 IU between the ages of 1 to 50, the New York Times Health Guide explains. People from 51 to 70 years of age should take 400 IU of vitamin D daily, and those over the age of 70 should take 600 IU per day. Exceeding your recommended daily dose can lead to elevated calcium levels in your blood. This condition is known as hypercalcemia. If left untreated, hypercalcemia can cause calcium deposits to spread throughout your body. On the other hand, getting less than your recommended daily dose of vitamin D over time can cause adults to develop osteoporosis.
Frequent Urination, Increased Thirst and Muscle Weakness
Chronic, excessive vitamin D intake can cause you to urinate more frequently. You may also experience increased thirst and an overall feeling of weakness and exhaustion. Excessive vitamin D levels can impair muscle functioning as well.
Irritability and Impaired Thinking Ability
High vitamin D levels in your body may impair your ability to think clearly, Drugs.com notes. Excessive vitamin D levels may also affect behavior and overall temperament. You may feel more irritable than usual.
Kidney Stones and Impaired Kidney Function
Kidney stones may develop as a result of high blood levels of vitamin D. Kidney function may be impaired if kidney stones go untreated. The stones may also impede the free flow of urine into the bladder and cause severe pain in the urinary tract.
Nausea and Vomiting
You may experience nausea and vomiting as an adverse reaction to vitamin D, warns MayoClinic.com. You may also experience reduced appetite and excessive weight loss as a result of excessive vitamin D intake.
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