Side Effects of Excessive Vitamin D

Side Effects of Excessive Vitamin D
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Vitamin D is a used by the body to control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. This fat-soluble vitamin is found in vitamin D fortified foods such as milk and eggs. The vitamin is absorbed through the skin from sunlight, and supplements are also available for increasing the body's amount of vitamin D. Taking too much supplemental vitamin D leads to toxic levels in the body, causing hypercalcemia--too much calcium in the blood. Symptoms of too much vitamin D are the symptoms of hypercalcemia.

Gastrointestinal Distress

Some symptoms associated with hypercalcemia include gastrointestinal distress. This includes nausea, vomiting and constipation. A decrease in appetite may occur as well as abdominal pain.

Increased Thirst and Urination

The condition may also cause an increase in thirst. Increases in thirst, as well as a need to urinate frequently, are among the first signs of hypercalcemia, the Mayo Clinic states. Increasing water intake helps decrease the thirst and will help flush the kidneys.

Muscle Weakness

Too much calcium in the blood may cause muscles to feel weak. The elderly may not tolerate excessive amounts of blood calcium as well as younger individuals. This leads to an increased chance for having muscular weakness, according to the Mayo Clinic. The muscles may also experience twitches.

Pain

Along with abdominal pain, hypercalcemia can cause painful bones, joints and pain in the muscles, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states. Resting does not help the pain.

Confusion

Confusion begins as the levels of calcium build in the blood. Seek medical attention and stop taking the vitamin D supplement with any signs of confusion. Untreated, the condition will lead to depression, dementia, memory loss and a coma, the NIH says.

Fatigue

Fatigue and lethargy occur with hypercalcemia. An increase in these symptoms signifies a reason to stop taking the vitamin D supplement and have blood drawn for testing.

Heart Rhythm Abnormalities

Calcium helps regulate heart muscle contractions. The increase in calcium causes the heart muscle to contract irregularly. This in turn causes an abnormal heart rhythm.

Kidney Stones

A complication from too much calcium in the body is kidney stones. The stones form from excessive amounts of calcium in the kidneys. Kidney stones cause extreme pain in the pelvis, back or side. The usual cause for the pain is when the stone lodges in the ureter and blocks the passage of urine.

References

Article reviewed by M.J. Ingram Last updated on: May 3, 2011

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