Vitamin D is the most abundant vitamin in the human body, found in bone, tooth and muscle tissue. Foods like milk and many breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D to ensure the public receives adequate daily amounts. Sunlight is another source that helps synthesize the vitamin for the body's use. Some individuals take more than the recommended dose, usually in supplement form, which leads to a marked but treatable toxicity.
Cessation
Quitting taking the supplement is the first step in lower toxic levels of vitamin D in the blood. The body can and will effectively deal with ingested amounts of the vitamin obtained through food or sunlight, but it struggles with the more concentrated tablet form. When symptoms occur, some of which are quite serious, the toxic individual should stop taking the supplement and reduce the amount of vitamin D-containing foods they eat or drink. The advised amount of vitamin D recommended for the average healthy adult is no more than 600 International Units, or IU, a day; toxic persons should strive for this number until the body processes the excess and returns to normal.
Kidney Stones
In some cases, even after the cessation of taking vitamin D supplementation, some of the symptoms associated with vitamin D toxicity remain and must be dealt with. Kidney stones are one such issue common in many toxic sufferers. Kidney stones are calcified concentrations of the vitamin that are sharp and are quite painful when excreted through the urethra. Drinking up to a full gallon of fresh water a day to attempt to flush the stones from the kidneys is advised; for painful passages, over-the-counter pain relievers are usually advised.
Constipation
Another common occurrence in toxic persons, constipation, if not dealt with, is not only uncomfortable but it may eventually lead to a bowel obstruction, which can contaminate the sufferer's intestinal tract. Over-the-counter laxatives -- along with eating the proper amount of daily fiber -- are advised to alleviate symptoms and get the person regular again.
Irregular Heart Beat
Although rare, some cases of vitamin D toxicity lead the patient to experiencing an irregular heart beat that beats out of normal rhythm. This increases the chances of a heart attack, especially in those individuals with known heart ailments or with a family history of heart disease. Persons experiencing an irregular heart beat should temporarily eliminate vitamin D from their diet and immediately consult a physician.
References
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals"; Alan H. Pressman and Sheila Buff; 2007
- Mayo Clinic: Vitamin D Toxicity; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; Dec. 11, 2010
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