Vitamin A works to keep the eyes free from disease in addition to doubling up as an antioxidant fighting free radicals in the body. This fat-soluble vitamin is found in foods such as liver, whole milk and fortified cereal. Vitamin A can be purchased over the counter in supplement form, although many supplements provide levels that are less than the recommended daily allowance. Taking too many vitamin tablets can result in vitamin A overdose.
Causes
Hypervitaminosis A occurs when there is a toxic amount of vitamin A built up in the body. Acute hypervitaminosis A is caused by taking too much vitamin A in a short span of time, and chronic hypervitaminosis A occurs when too much vitamin A is used over a longer period of time.
Symptoms
Hypervitaminosis A causes many symptoms, some mild enough to go unnoticed and some severe enough to warrant medical care. Symptoms of vitamin A overdose are blurred vision, bone pain, decreased appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, irritability, nausea, hair loss, oily skin or hair, skin peeling and yellowing of the skin. A overdose of vitamin A can also affect eyesight. Carotenemia is the yellowing of the skin associated with high blood carotene levels, which is usually the cause of too much vitamin A in the body.
Treatment
Although symptoms of vitamin A overdose, including carotenemia, may be jarring, Medline Plus states that most people who have taken an overdose of vitamin A will recover. In most cases, the treatment is simply to discontinue the use of vitamin A. You will be given a bone X-ray, blood calcium test, liver function test and blood test to check vitamin A levels before any treatment is given.
Considerations
If you regularly eat foods that contain vitamin A, you may not need to take vitamin A supplements. Discuss the use of any over-the-counter supplements with your physician to find out if using them is right for you. Vitamin A overdose may cause high levels of calcium, which may result in kidney damage; if you have taken vitamin A over time, or a lot at once, seek emergency care immediately.
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