Combined supplementation of calcium with vitamin D is a common regime used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in adults. Vitamin D absorption triggers calcium absorption too. By taking either too much calcium, an overdose of vitamin D supplement, or a combination of both, it is possible that hypercalcemia occurs. This means that there is too much calcium in your blood. This condition can affect the nervous system leading to various neurological symptoms such as headaches.
Hypercalcemia Symptoms
Less than 1 percent of the population experiences hypercalcemia. There can be many reasons leading to this condition, and two of them are calcium and vitamin D overdose. The most common symptom of hypercalcemia is muscle weakness, feeling tired and lack of stamina. However, headaches, nausea and disorientation can also show up, which can worsen with vomiting and dehydration. Finally, gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach pain and loss of appetite are very common.
Potential Treatment
Hypercalcemia cases caused by excessive calcium, vitamin D or a combination of both can be easily treated. Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., of MayoClinic.com recommends that treatment of vitamin D toxicity may include stopping vitamin D supplements and restricting calcium intake, as well as taking medication. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
Although quite rare, hypercalcemia related to vitamin D overdose usually results from taking an excessive amount of vitamin D supplements, not from your diet or too much sun exposure. Your body regulates the amount of vitamin D produced from sun exposure, and even fortified foods don't contain very large amounts of vitamin D. Therefore, you can lower your vitamin D dose and try to get more of it from your food or sun exposure. In this way you allow your body to regulate the relative amounts of nutrients and minimize the chances of hypercalcemia.
Recommended Doses
If you take a combination of vitamin D and calcium supplements it is important to stay within the daily allowance recommended for your age group. Your physician can determine accurately the right dose of both calcium and vitamin D. Experts in Linus Pauling Institute recommend that a healthy adult can safely take up to 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day, as a maintenance dose.
Your calcium daily dose depends on your age and sex. Adult men need 1,000 mg daily, with a slight addition to 1,200 mg after the age of 71 years old in order to compensate for the natural loss of bone mass. The equivalent amounts for women are 1,000 mg and 1,200 mg after the age of 51 years old.
Precautions
Consistent headaches can certainly be a signal for hypercalcemia. Untreated hypercalcemia can become a dangerous condition with multiple secondary conditions stemming from it, such as pancreatitis, high blood pressure and kidney stones. If you experience any of the symptoms described and you are on combined supplementation for vitamin D and calcium, you should contact your physician. Although excessive quantities of calcium and vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, there are more factors that could contribute. Adrenal gland failure, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism and certain drugs can cause your blood calcium to rise.
References
- Pubmed Health; Hypercalcemia; January 21, 2010
- MedlinePlus; Hyperclacemia; August 2, 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrients Information Center, Vitamin D; June 22, 2011
- HuffingtonPost.com; Vitamin D: Why You Are Probably NOT Getting Enough and How That Makes You Sick; Mark Hyman, MD; May 22,2010
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D Toxicity: What If You Get Too Much?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
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