Many North Americans are deficient in vitamin D, which is also called the "sunshine vitamin." While you can get some vitamin D from your diet, such as from fortified milk, most of the vitamin D that your body needs is manufactured in response to exposure to sunlight. In an effort to prevent skin cancer, you might not get the vitamin D you need from the sun. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend that you take a vitamin D3 supplement. Since vitamin D is stored in the body, taking too much can cause side effects.
Overdose
While it is possible to overdose on vitamin D3 supplements, Medline Plus explains that you are unlikely to suffer ill effects from taking one large dose. Taking very large doses over a long period of time, however, may cause symptoms of too much vitamin D. If you have accidentally taken more than the upper tolerable limit of vitamin D3, which, according to registered dietitian Jennifer Nelson from MayoClinic.com, is 4,000 IU, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 to find out whether you are at risk for serious side effects.
Symptoms
Vitamin D allows your body to absorb calcium, so taking too much of this vitamin could lead to hypercalcemia, or too much calcium in your blood. The symptoms of hypercalcemia include nausea and vomiting, constipation, a loss of appetite, heart palpitations, kidney stones, confusion and general weakness. This condition can also cause headache, depression muscle twitches, bone pain and, if allowed to persist, coma.
Recommendations
Adults up to the age of 70 should take 600 IU of vitamin D3 each day. Adults over the age of 70 should take 800 IU daily. This amount is an approximation only, as you may have different needs depending on your diet, how much time you spend in the sun, medications that you are taking, health issues that you have and your current vitamin D levels. Your doctor might advise a higher dosage, but you should not take more than the recommended daily amount without asking your physician first.
Considerations
If you are deficient in vitamin D, your doctor might suggest a vitamin D3 supplement in a dose much higher than the upper tolerable limit. This type of therapy is usually prescribed for a limited period of time and should not cause symptoms of an overdose. If you are taking a high dose and experience signs of overdose, contact your doctor promptly.
If you have conditions such as kidney stones or if you already have high levels of calcium in your blood, your doctor may advise taking less vitamin D3 than what is normally recommended.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D Toxicity: What if You Get Too Much?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.; December 2010
- Medline Plus: Multiple Vitamin Overdose
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Calcium Carbonate Overdose
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D: New Recommendations;Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D., et al; December 2010
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