High vitamin d symptoms
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High Vitamin D Symptoms: Understanding the Effects and Risks
Introduction to Vitamin D and Its Importance
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and supporting the immune system. It is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight and can also be obtained through dietary supplements. However, while vitamin D is crucial for health, excessive intake can lead to toxicity, known as hypervitaminosis D.
Symptoms of High Vitamin D Levels
Common Symptoms of Vitamin D Toxicity
Vitamin D toxicity, although rare, can have serious health implications. The most frequently reported symptoms include confusion, apathy, recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and dehydration2 3. These symptoms are primarily due to severe hypercalcemia, a condition characterized by elevated calcium levels in the blood, which can result from excessive vitamin D intake.
Severe Hypercalcemia and Its Manifestations
Severe hypercalcemia, a hallmark of vitamin D toxicity, can lead to more severe symptoms such as kidney stones, bone pain, and calcification of soft tissues2 3. Hypercalcemia occurs when the body's calcium levels become excessively high, often due to the overproduction of the active vitamin D metabolite or excessive intake of vitamin D supplements.
Causes of Vitamin D Toxicity
Excessive Supplementation
One of the primary causes of vitamin D toxicity is the excessive intake of vitamin D supplements. This can occur due to manufacturing errors, overdosing by patients or prescribers, or a combination of these factors4. Serum vitamin D concentrations in cases of toxicity have been reported to range between 150 and 1220 ng/mL, with corresponding high serum calcium levels4.
Metabolic Pathway Malfunctions
Malfunctions in the vitamin D metabolic pathway can also lead to toxicity. Conditions such as granulomatous disorders and certain lymphomas can cause the local production of the active vitamin D metabolite, leading to elevated levels of calcium in the blood3. Additionally, congenital disorders like Williams-Beuren syndrome can result in excessive production of vitamin D metabolites, contributing to toxicity3.
Long-Term Effects of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation
Risk of Hypercalcemia and Hypercalciuria
Long-term supplementation with high doses of vitamin D (≥2800 IU/day) has been studied to assess its safety. While it does not significantly increase the risk of total adverse events or kidney stones, there is a trend towards an increased risk of hypercalcemia and possibly hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine)7. This suggests that while high-dose vitamin D supplementation can be beneficial, it must be monitored carefully to avoid potential risks.
Psychological and Metabolic Effects
High-dose vitamin D supplementation has been shown to have beneficial effects on psychological symptoms and metabolic profiles in certain populations. For instance, in patients with major depressive disorder, vitamin D supplementation significantly improved depressive symptoms and markers of insulin resistance and oxidative stress9 10. However, these benefits must be weighed against the potential risks of toxicity.
Conclusion
While vitamin D is essential for health, excessive intake can lead to serious health issues, primarily due to hypercalcemia. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include confusion, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe dehydration. The primary causes of toxicity are excessive supplementation and metabolic pathway malfunctions. Long-term high-dose vitamin D supplementation can increase the risk of hypercalcemia, although it may also offer psychological and metabolic benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor vitamin D intake carefully to avoid the adverse effects of toxicity.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
High vitamin D supplementation (4000 IU) is associated with reduced depressive symptoms in adults aged 18+ years.
Meta-AnalysisVitamin D Toxicity: A Clinical Perspective
Vitamin D toxicity (VDT) is caused by excessive long-term intake of vitamin D, malfunctions in the vitamin D metabolic pathway, or coincidental disease, and can result in severe hypercalcemia if not promptly identified.
Highly CitedVitamin D Toxicity–A Clinical Perspective
Vitamin D toxicity (VDT) can result from excessive long-term intake of vitamin D, malfunctions in the vitamin D metabolic pathway, or coincidental diseases, and can cause severe health effects if not identified and treated promptly.
Highly CitedDevelopment of Vitamin D Toxicity from Overcorrection of Vitamin D Deficiency: A Review of Case Reports
Vitamin D intoxication is rare but can occur due to manufacturing errors, overdosing by patients or prescribers, and combinations of these factors.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEffects of a 2-Week 5000 IU versus 1000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Recovery of Symptoms in Patients with Mild to Moderate Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Daily 5000 IU oral vitamin D3 supplementation for 2 weeks reduces the time to recovery for cough and gustatory sensory loss in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and suboptimal vitamin D status.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedHigh dose vitamin D may improve lower urinary tract symptoms in postmenopausal women
High dose vitamin D supplementation may improve lower urinary tract symptoms in postmenopausal women, but no significant differences were found in LUTS or urinary incontinence severity between the two groups.
RCTAdverse events from large dose vitamin D supplementation taken for one year or longer
Long-term high-dose vitamin D supplementation did not significantly increase the risk of total adverse events or kidney stones, but there was a trend towards increased hypercalcemia and possibly hypercalciuria.
Systematic ReviewSunlight and vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with severe peripheral artery disease, leading to subtle symptoms like muscle pain, bone aches, and fatigue.
Rigorous JournalClinical trial of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on psychological symptoms and metabolic profiles in maintenance methadone treatment patients
50,000IU vitamin D supplements every 2 weeks for 12 weeks improved psychological symptoms and some metabolic profiles in maintenance methadone treatment patients.
RCTVitamin D Supplementation Affects the Beck Depression Inventory, Insulin Resistance, and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.
Vitamin D supplementation for 8 weeks in patients with major depressive disorder improved depression symptoms, glucose homeostasis, and oxidative stress.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited