From the Research
For vitamin D toxicity with a level of 290 ng/mL, immediate medical attention is needed, and levels should be rechecked every 1-2 weeks initially until levels begin to decrease significantly, as suggested by the most recent study 1. The high level of 290 ng/mL is concerning because vitamin D is fat-soluble and accumulates in the body, potentially causing hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) which can damage organs, particularly the kidneys.
Key Considerations
- Treatment involves immediately stopping all vitamin D supplements, limiting calcium intake, increasing fluid intake, and possibly medications like corticosteroids or bisphosphonates in severe cases, as supported by older studies 2, 3.
- Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include nausea, vomiting, weakness, kidney problems, and confusion.
- Recovery from vitamin D toxicity can take weeks to months since the vitamin has a long half-life in the body, as noted in a case report 4.
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Once the level starts dropping, monitoring can be extended to monthly intervals until the level returns to the normal range (30-80 ng/mL).
- Throughout the monitoring period, calcium levels and kidney function should also be regularly assessed, as hypercalcemia can lead to acute kidney injury and other complications, highlighted in a prospective study 5.
Additional Measures
- In severe cases, peritoneal dialysis may be considered as a treatment option, as reported in a case study 4.
- It is essential to be aware of potential sources of vitamin D toxicity, including contaminated foods or manufacturing errors of vitamin D-containing supplements, as illustrated in a report of two cases 1.