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Can Vitamin D Cause Headaches

How Much Is Vitamin D Too Much

Can Vitamin D or Fish Oil Provide Migraine Relief?

The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D for most adults is 600 international units a day . Doctors may prescribe higher doses to treat medical conditions such as vitamin D deficiency, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease but for a limited period.

Hypervitaminosis D or toxicity results with massive, long-term doses, 50,000 international units per day for months which is 80 times more than the recommended amount. Getting too much vitamin D from food or exposure to the sun is almost impossible. Signs of too much vitamin D imply that its levels in the body are so high that they are at risk of causing some serious harm.

A Magnesium Deficiency Can Contribute To Headaches

Magnesium helps the body regulate nerve and muscle function, maintain blood sugar levels, and regulate blood pressure. Dr. Sara Crystal, MD, Neurologist and Headache Specialist, andCove medical advisor, told INSIDER there is good evidence that magnesium deficiency can contribute to migraines. Thats why she said many people find magnesium supplements helpful in treating these symptoms.

Since magnesium is considered a natural relaxer of the muscle and nervous system, Morrison said its not surprising that a lack of this mineral causes muscle tension, cramps, insomnia and widespread pain, including headaches. Good food sources include legumes, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, fortified foods like breakfast cereal, milk, and yogurt.

How To Treat Migraines Caused By A Vitamin Deficiency

Consulting with a doctor is the best way to treat a migraine caused by a vitamin deficiency. A doctor may prescribe migraine medications to treat migraine pain and offer tips and recommendations to prevent a single migraine from becoming a recurring problem.

For those who are dealing with ongoing migraines related to a vitamin deficiency, a consultation with a neurologist may be required. A neurologist can provide a chronic migraine diagnosis, and he or she may also prescribe migraine medications.

If a chronic migraine patient finds his or her current migraine medications are ineffective or cause intolerable side effects, Dr. Jonathan Cabin of The Migraine Institute can help. Dr. Cabin is a head and neck surgeon with dual-subspecialty training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and his unique expertise enables him to offer personalized chronic migraine treatments. To learn more about how Dr. Cabin helps patients dealing with chronic migraine pain, please contact us today at 310.461.0303.

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Headaches From Taking Vitamin D

I wrote to you last week and I feel as though I am getting great answers from you and others are as well. I will restate my situation so you do not have to look it up. I had a Vitamin D Level of 5 ng/ml in Nov. Since that I have been on 50,000 IU’s of vitamin weekly. About 2 weeks into that I started 2,000 units of D3 daily since I felt as though I was going down hill fast. I was rechecked at 12 weeks and have a count now of 18 ng/ml. After asking you what to do, I called my doctor and spoke with him about the kind and amount I was taking. I pulled up dozens of articles on this as well to tell him about. He told me it would be safe to take 4,000 IU’s of vitamin d daily and drop the 50,000 weekly. I decided to take 5,000 daily and a multi vitamin with 800 in it. This has been about a week now. I was wondering if you felt my new symptoms of headache, tension in the neck and back, may be related. I am very frustrated since I can not get in with another doctor for a few months. I have 4 kids to care for and really do not want to get to the point I was in November with insomnia, depression, weight loss, along with all the fatigue and soreness. I feel like there is a simple answer to all of this, yet feel so lousy.Thanks for the help.

Excess Vitamin A Side Effects

Best Can Low Vitamin D Cause Headaches

As a fat-soluble vitamin, extra vitamin A is stored in the body unlike excesses of water-soluble vitamins, which are excreted in urine. Natural forms of the vitamin from food sources aren’t likely to cause a problem, but large amounts of pre-formed vitamin A from supplements can cause headaches, along with dizziness, nausea, coma and death.

The daily value for vitamin A is 5,000 IU, and it’s easy to get this amount from a daily diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein. If you add a supplement, you may go over or way over the DV. The upper tolerable intake the amount at which serious side effects may occur is 10,000 IU. If you’re taking a vitamin A supplement, check the label and speak with your doctor about whether excess vitamin A could be causing your headaches.

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What Are Appropriate Vitamin D Levels

There has been some controversy over what constitutes appropriate Vitamin D levels. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine reported that a Vitamin D level of 20 ng/mL or higher was adequate and that anything below 20 should be considered a Vitamin D deficiency. In 2011, the Endocrine Society recommended a minimum blood level of Vitamin D of 30 ng/mL. To guarantee sufficiency, they preferred a level of 40 and 60 ng/mL for both children and adults.

Optimal levels are greater than 20 ng/mL, but less than 50 ng/mL.

Many physicians today believe that a blood level of Vitamin D higher than 20 ng/ml is essential for pregnant, lactating and menopausal women as well as people with anorexia, osteoporosis and osteopenia, malabsorption issues, and other health concerns. Consult with a trusted medical professional to determine what is appropriate for you.

Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Headaches

Research is finding an association, if not yet a cause and effect, between low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk for headaches.

A piece in Health.com reported on a study out of Finland in middle-aged men that found those with low-serum vitamin D were at greater risk for frequent headaches in comparison to those with higher vitamin D levels.

In fact, the article reported that men with the lowest levels of vitamin D were more than twice as likely to have headaches at least once a week in comparison to those with the highest levels.

Only 9.6% of the study population reported chronic headaches however, on average, those had lower levels of vitamin D compared to those without headaches . D are reported in both nanomoles per liter and nanograms per milliliter . One nmol/L is equal to 0.4 ng/mL, and 1 ng/mL is equal to 2.5 nmol/L.)

The study itself references numerous other studies with beneficial associations between vitamin D and headaches, although the study authors point out further research is needed.

This article from verywellhealth.com details three studies on vitamin D deficiency and the relation to headaches. The first study says the prevalence of migraine and tension headaches increased the closer to the North and South Poles and farther away from the equatorwith the sun being the presumed differentiator.

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Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has many symptoms, which often go undetected or are thought to be related to another illness. Symptoms vary for each patient, depending on the severity of their deficiency. Common symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include joint pain, weak or cramping muscles, frequent bone fractures, weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, depression and headaches.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious long term problems if it is not addressed. Bone diseases can develop due to the lack of calcium, some of these include osteomalacia, osteoporosis and rickets. Teeth can become more susceptible to cavities. Autoimmune disorders may also develop due to the immune systems reliance upon the vitamin. If you feel you Vitamin D deficient, get a Vitamin D test and find out!

Elevated Blood Calcium Levels

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Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the food you eat. In fact, this is one of its most important roles.

However, if your vitamin D intake is excessive, your blood calcium may reach levels that can cause unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms.

The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are primarily related to hypercalcemia, which means excessively high blood calcium levels (

Hypercalcemia typically develops after people take megadoses of vitamin D for a prolonged period of time.

For example, a 2015 case study reported that an older man with dementia who received 50,000 IU of vitamin D daily for 6 months was repeatedly hospitalized with symptoms related to high calcium levels .

In the 2020 case report mentioned earlier, the woman who took an average of 130,000 IU of vitamin D per day for 20 months was also hospitalized for symptoms related to hypercalcemia .

These included nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and kidney injury. Her blood calcium levels were 3.23 mmol/L (

  • poor appetite

However, not all people with hypercalcemia experience the exact same symptoms.

One woman experienced nausea and weight loss after taking a supplement that was later found to contain 78 times more vitamin D than stated on the label .

Importantly, these symptoms occurred in response to extremely high doses of vitamin D3, which led to calcium levels greater than 12 mg/dL.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Too Much Vitamin D

Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.

Vitamin D is a key nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium to help build strong bones. Its also important for your immune system, nervous system, and muscles. A deficiency in this vitamin has also been linked to mental illnesses such as depression and seasonal affective disorder .

About 40% of Americans may be deficient in vitamin D, with Black and Hispanic adults facing the highest risk of deficiency. Many people can benefit from increasing their vitamin D intake to sufficient levels through sun exposure, diet changes, orif neededsupplementation as recommended by a physician.

While a deficiency of this nutrient is a very common problem, its also possiblebut rareto have too much vitamin D. Too much vitamin D, also known as vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis D, can pose a number of serious health risks. This is why it’s important to discuss any supplementation with your doctor to ensure you aren’t ingesting a potentially harmful mega dose.

Food Sources Of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to good health. A few foods that are high in vitamin D are fortified cereal, fortified milk, eggs, and mushrooms. And when it comes to animal sources, salmon, beef liver, caviar, and tuna are excellent sources.

You can even get your daily dose of vitamin D by just spending 5-10 minutes in the sun, two times a week.

Some doctors may check your vitamin D level to make sure it is in the normal range before treating you for Migraine. Doctors advise a dosage of 2,000 milligrams of vitamin D for headaches.

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Vitamins B6 B12 And Folic Acid

Studies showed that vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, taken over six months, had visibly reduced the frequency of Migraine attacks

Experts recommend an average of 400 milligrams of B complex a day. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is also essential for the body, as it provides energy, through the metabolism of fats. Deficiency of this vitamin can hinder the normal functioning of the body, and may even trigger a Migraine attack.

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B Vitamins And Headaches

Best Can Low Vitamin D Cause Headaches

Many people take multivitamins containing several of the B vitamins. This is also known as a B complex supplement, which usually contains eight B vitamins in one serving. There are many health benefits of B vitamins, but too much may have side effects.

Excessive vitamin B3 consumption commonly causes skin flushing and headaches. People with vitamin B12 deficiency may be prescribed a high dosage as treatment, though this may yield headaches as a side effect.

Ironically, B vitamin deficiencies are also associated with chronic headaches. According to a June 2018 study published in Neurological Sciences, researchers found a correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and tension headaches in children. To avoid B vitamin headaches, aim for the recommended dietary allowance of 2.6 micrograms.

  • Stomach pain
  • Gastrointestinal problems

One of the most common symptoms of taking vitamins in any dose is nausea or upset stomach. This can often be attributed to taking vitamins on an empty stomach. In cases where vitamins cause nausea, Cleveland Clinic recommends taking vitamins with food, lowering your dose, getting vitamins from food sources and opting for an easy-to-digest formula.

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Does Riboflavin Help Prevent Migraine Attacks

If youâre probably getting enough riboflavin from your diet, shouldnât you already be getting all of its migraine prevention benefits? Not exactly.

In studies of riboflavinâs effect on migraine headaches, participants are typically asked to take a lot more riboflavin than youâre likely to get from your dietâ400 mg. At that dose, riboflavin has been shown to reduce the number of migraines people experienced each month, although not enough research has been done to know how or why it works.

The evidence for riboflavinâs effectiveness is far from overwhelmingâthere have only been a few clinical trialsâbut the Canadian Headache Society still recommends it for prevention of migraine because the potential for negative side effects is low.

What Is Hormone Imbalance

Hormones are the vital chemicals that control many of the bodys vital functions, including reproduction, growth and development, heart rate, metabolism, sleep cycles the list goes on.

In this regard, our body needs hormonal shifts to carry on.. For example, after a meal, your pancreas produces insulin to regulate your fats, carbohydrate, and protein levels. Similarly, when youre dealing with a stressful situation, your adrenal glands produce cortisol to increase glucose in the blood, as a response to the stressor.

These are all healthy hormone fluctuations that you dont even notice in your daily life.

Its when there is an imbalance of a specific hormone, that you experiencehormone imbalance symptoms.

These symptoms can be light at first, such as a slight headache or bloating. If left untreated, though, they can become more intense and cause trouble sleeping, low libido, unexplained weight changes, and fatigue.

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Vitamin Deficiencies That Lead To Migraine Headaches

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There are many reasons why migraine headaches occur, including vitamin deficiencies. Now, lets examine three vitamin deficiencies that have been linked to migraine pain.

The Link Between Vitamin D And Migraines

Micronutrient Testing For Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies That Cause Migraines

Many young adults, teens and children who get frequent migraines were more likely to have lower levels of vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10, than people who dont get migraines, found a recent study. A vitamin D deficiency showed up in 70% of the patients, while 30% had coenzyme Q10 levels at the low range and 15% had riboflavin levels below normal. The boys and men in the study were more likely to have vitamin D deficiencies, while the girls and young women were more likely to be low in coenzyme Q10.

Though the results are intriguing and offer hope to people who experience serious migraines, its too early to say if taking a vitamin supplement is all you need to do to prevent migraines. The patients in this study who had vitamin deficiencies took a daily vitamin, but they were also taking prescription migraine medications at the same time, so it was not possible for researchers to test if vitamin supplementation on its own would be effective.

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How Does Vitamin D Help With Hormone Balance

A prohormone isnt a hormone itself, but a substance that your body converts into a hormone.

So, when the sun hits the skin, the body makes vitamin D through a chemical reaction. Then, the liver and kidney convert vitamin D to an actual active hormone known as calcitriol, which helps the body absorb calcium and keep our bones healthy.

And were just getting started with the benefits of vitamin D for hormone balance.

Ever felt like your mood depends on the amount of sunlight you get a day?

Thats because researchers have found that vitamin D protects us from running out of serotonin, and helps regulate the production of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine in the brain. Hence, the higher the vitamin D levels, the lower an individuals risk of depression. The same goes for obesity people with a vitamin D deficiency, are more likely to be obese.

One study also shows a link between vitamin D and a womans estrogen levels. Low levels of vitamin D may lead to lower estrogen levels, which can cause mood swings, headaches, depression, hot flashes, and more.

Optimal Vitamin D Level

There is dispute among experts regarding the optimal vitamin D level. That said, the Institute of Medicine, recommends maintaining a vitamin D level above 20 ng/mL. This level may need to be higher in older adults who are at greater risk for falls and bone breaks , or for people with other medical conditions.

When individuals are vitamin D deficient , parathyroid hormone levels in the body increase. This causes calcium to be released from the bones, eventually resulting in bone weakening, a condition called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

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