Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin D Intoxication

Vitamin D is an important vitamin, necessary for the absorption and proper utilization of calcium. Calcium is vital to proper bone structure and density. The body produces vitamin D naturally when the skin is exposed to UV light, but for some people, it is advisable to augment natural production with supplements. As with all supplements, it is possible to take too much, resulting in toxicity.

Symptoms

• The main result of too much vitamin D, or vitamin D intoxication, is hypercalcemia, overabundance of calcium in the blood. The results of this can be serious. Kidney damage or even kidney failure is a possible complication of hypercalcemia.

Symptoms of Hypercalcemia

• There are no signs of vitamin D toxicity aside from the signs of hypercalcemia. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness and aches, fatigue and confusion.

Hypersensitivity vs. Toxicity

• Hypercalcemia may result not from taking too much vitamin D, but from being overly sensitive to it. Hypersensitivity to vitamin D can result from certain cancers or from overactivity of the parathyroid gland.

Commonality

• Vitamin D toxicity is not common. In order to reach toxic levels in a healthy person, you would have to take huge amounts of vitamin D supplements, approximately 40,000 IU per day over a long period. Since most commercially available capsules are 500 IU, this would be difficult. It is far more likely that a person is getting too little vitamin D than that they are getting too much.