From the Guidelines
Hypervitaminosis D is a condition that occurs when excessive vitamin D builds up in the body, typically from supplement overuse, and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, and kidney problems, and treatment involves stopping vitamin D supplements and limiting dietary calcium, as recommended by recent studies 1.
Symptoms of Hypervitaminosis D
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and frequent urination
- Kidney problems and bone pain
- Calcium deposits in soft tissues
- Hypercalcemia, leading to confusion, fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, and heart rhythm abnormalities
- In severe cases, kidney stones, kidney failure, or calcification of blood vessels
Causes and Risk Factors
- Excessive vitamin D intake from supplements
- Increased sensitivity to vitamin D in some individuals
- Certain medical conditions, such as kidney or liver disease
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests to measure vitamin D and calcium levels
- Treatment involves stopping vitamin D supplements and limiting dietary calcium
- Increasing fluid intake and possibly medications like bisphosphonates or corticosteroids to lower calcium levels
- Most cases resolve within weeks to months after stopping excess vitamin D intake, as reported in recent studies 1
Prevention
- Avoiding excessive vitamin D intake from supplements
- Maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle
- Regular monitoring of vitamin D and calcium levels, especially in individuals at risk for hypervitaminosis D, as recommended by recent guidelines 1
From the Research
Hypervitaminosis D Symptoms
- Confusion, apathy, recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, polyuria, polydipsia, and dehydration are common clinical symptoms of vitamin D toxicity 2
- Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphatemia are considered initial signs of vitamin D intoxication 3
- Cardiac injury and symptomatic hypercalcemia can occur as a result of excessive vitamin D supplementation 4
- Individual responses to supraphysiologic concentrations of vitamin D can vary widely, making it difficult to define a toxic concentration 4
Laboratory Findings
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations higher than 150 ng/ml (375 nmol/l) are a hallmark of vitamin D toxicity due to vitamin D overdosing 2
- Elevated serum calcium, phosphorus, and 1,25(OH)2D levels can be indicative of hypervitaminosis D 5, 3, 2
- Asymptomatic hypercalcemia can be caused by the intake of vitamin D even in doses recommended for the general population and considered safe 2