Vitamin and mineral supplements used in moderate amounts can offer health benefits, such as strengthening the eyes, nails, skin, bones and brain. However, overusing vitamins may cause problems in these areas and more within the body. Vitamin overuse can contribute to toxicity, which in severe cases can be fatal. Consult with your physician before taking vitamin supplements to see if they are right for you.
Identification
Foods offer you both the fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins your body needs to maintain its systems. Typically, you can get the recommended amount of vitamins through diet alone, but some people may require multivitamin supplements. Pregnant women, menopausal women and people with malabsorption may need to take multivitamins regularly to support or treat these conditions. Taking more than the recommended amount of vitamins does not always offer increased health benefits.
Symptoms
Symptoms of multiple vitamin overdose are frequent urination, irritation, sensitivity to light, irregular heartbeat or rapid heartbeat, bone pain, joint pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness, convulsions, headache, excessive tiredness, headache, nausea or vomiting, yellowing of the skin, itching, hair loss, diarrhea, stomach pain and unexplained weight loss. Overdosing on supplements that contain iron may also cause liver damage, vomiting blood, dehydration, low blood pressure, shock, weakness, dizziness, chills or coma.
Concerns
Overuse of multivitamins or vitamin supplements may mask pre-existing health conditions. Overdose as a result of using too many multivitamins may cause permanent nerve or brain damage if not treated immediately. Overdosing on multivitamins that contain iron may cause death, even up to a week after the overdose, according to MedlinePlus.
Considerations
MedlinePlus states that the symptoms of multiple vitamin overdose or iron overdose may go away in a few hours and return again later. If you develop any symptoms of multiple vitamin overdose, contact the National Poison Control Center, which will give you instructions on what to do. Make sure you have the name of the product, time it was taken and the amount that was taken when calling.
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