Recommended Dosage Active Amounts Other Details
The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D is currently set at 400800 IU/day, but this may be too low for many adults. For moderate supplementation, a 1,0002,000 IU dose of vitamin D3 is sufficient to meet the needs of most of the population. Higher daily doses are in the range of 2080 IU per kilogram of body weight.
The Upper Tolerable Intake Level in the United States and Canada is 4,000 IU per day . Its been suggested that the true Upper Tolerable Intake Level may actually be as high as 10,000 IU/day, but there are limited data on health outcomes using doses near this amount.
Vitamin D3 supplementation is recommended over D2 supplementation because D3 tends to raise blood levels more effectively.
Vitamin D should be taken daily, with meals or a source of fat.
Nausea Vomiting And Poor Appetite
Excessive calcium in the body leads to nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite. Studies have also highlighted these side effects of too much calcium in the body.
You should consult an expert before adding vitamin D to your daily diet. You doctor will prescribe you the right amount according to your age, gender and pre-existing medical conditions
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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What Causes Vitamin D Toxicity
Vitamin D toxicity is almost always the result of excess supplementation. Because your body regulates vitamin D production, you are unlikely to develop it as a result of sun exposure . Foods generally do not contain large amounts of vitamin D, so getting an excessive amount in your diet is unlikely.
People may begin taking vitamin D supplements in order to address a deficiency or to help relieve symptoms of things like seasonal affective disorder or depression. The problem is that they may go overboard or think that taking more will produce more beneficial effects.
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Knowing Youre Getting Too Much Vitamin D
Just how much is too much? You need to know what your levels should be since you can test for them with home kits. Your doctor will also want to know your levels regularly, but wont always explain the numbers on the dials.
The currently recommended about of vitamin D is 4,000 IU per day. You can get this from the sun on a daily basis. Just 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen is enough to get your daily amount. Most countries that suffer from dark winters will have vitamin D added to cows milk and to some vegan alternatives to help protect families. The formula for babies is usually fortified with vitamin D, too.
If you get naturally enough, theres no need to take supplements. However, there are some who will take them just in case.
If you get more than 10,000 IU per day, you run the risk of developing a toxicity problem. This is especially the case if you take this amount every single day for three months or longer.
Most studies have shown that some people can handle the 10,000 IU per day or less. The toxicity problem has become a major issue when someone takes 40,000 IU per day. This is 10 times the recommended amount! You only need to take this amount for a couple of months, and you will start to experience the symptoms of too much vitamin D consumption above. There are some who have taken more than 300,000 IU of vitamin D in one 24 hour period, leading to some serious side effects.
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Vitamin D Supplement Safety
Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun, but many people may not get enough due to a variety of factors. Because of this, people often turn to vitamin D supplements. Unfortunately, it isnt uncommon for people to overdo it.
A 2017 study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that between 1999 and 2014, there was an increase in the number of American adults taking daily vitamin D supplements of 1,000 IU or more. Of these, 18% exceeded 1000 IU each day and 3% took more than 4,000 IU per day, which may place them at a higher risk of experiencing some adverse effects related to excessive vitamin D.
In most cases, you can get all of the vitamin D you need naturally without supplementation through sun exposure and diet. A 15-minute walk outside each day with your extremities exposed can boost vitamin D production. .
Eating foods that are naturally high in vitamin D or are fortified with the nutrient can help. Foods you can eat to boost your vitamin D levels include:
- Egg yolks
- Fortified milk, yogurt, or juice
- Cheese
- Fatter fish such as tuna or salmon
- Cod liver oil
If you do decide to take a vitamin D supplement to correct a deficiency or because you are unable to get an adequate amount through sunlight and diet, always follow your doctor’s guidelines and do not take more than recommended amounts.
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There Is A Loss Of Bone Density
Calcium is a requirement for strong bones. Considering vitamin D helps calcium absorb into the body, this side effect can seem a little strange. It seems even weirder to consider the bone loss as a side effect when weve already discussed the calcium levels being too high.
Well, too much vitamin D can actually negatively affect the bones. Too much vitamin D can mean that there isnt enough vitamin K in the body. The vitamin K, especially vitamin K2, helps to keep the calcium levels out of the blood and put it on the bones. So, not only is vitamin D needed, but vitamin K2 is essential to get the calcium in the right place. Theres no point having a lot of calcium absorbed into the body if it ends up in the blood instead of the bones!
Since the bones arent getting the mineral they need, they start to disintegrate, and the cells die and dont repair. The bones weaken, and youre at a higher risk of bone diseases. Rickets, osteoporosis, and bone cancer are all more likely to occur.
You can add more vitamin K2 supplements to your body to protect your bones. However, you will also want to remove some of the excess vitamin D to help support the whole system.
How Is A Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed
Your doctor can order a blood test to measure your levels of vitamin D. There are two types of tests that might be ordered, but the most common is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D, known as 25D for short. For the blood test, a technician will use a needle to take blood from a vein. You do not need to fast or otherwise prepare for this type of test.
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Which Drugs Or Supplements Interact With Vitamin D
Vitamin D should be used with caution with mineral oil because mineral oil slows down the absorption of Vitamin D and reduces its therapeutic benefits.
Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone should be used with caution in people with hypoparathyroid taking Vitamin D, because thiamine diuretics may increase calcium levels.
What Is Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency means that you do not have enough vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is unique because your skin actually produces it by using sunlight. Fair-skinned individuals and those who are younger convert sunshine into vitamin D far better than those who are darker-skinned and over age 50.
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How Much Vitamin D Do You Need
In healthy people, the amount of vitamin D needed per day varies by age. The chart below shows the often-cited recommendations of the Institute of Medicine, now the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It is important to know that these are general recommendations. If your doctor is checking your blood levels, he or she might recommend higher or lower doses based on your individual needs.
If you have osteoporosis, your doctor might suggest a blood test of your vitamin D levels. The amount of vitamin D supplement can be customized for each person, based on the results. For many older patients, a vitamin D supplement containing anywhere between 800 to 2000 IUs daily, which can be obtained without a prescription, can be both safe and beneficial. It is important to speak with your doctor about your individual needs.
| People by age |
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*refers to adequate intake vs recommended dietary allowance of the other age groups.
Elevated Blood Calcium Levels
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 Special Dietary Instructions Should I Follow
When cholecalciferol is used to treat and prevent bone diseases, you should eat and drink of foods and drinks that are rich in calcium. If you find it difficult to eat enough calcium-rich foods, tell your doctor. In that case, your doctor can prescribe or recommend a calcium supplement.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Positive Vitamin D Side Effects
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. We get the vast majority of it from our skin absorbing sunlight, and it has many roles when it comes to protecting health. Vitamin D benefits, aka positive vitamin D side effects, include:
- Helping with absorption of minerals like calcium
- Aiding in bone health and preventing weak, brittle bones
- Boosting immune function and preventing infectious diseases
- Supporting growth and development in infants/children
- Helping with hormonal balance, including sex hormones like testosterone
- Stabilizing moods and helping with depression
- Supporting cognitive health and helping reduce the risk for memory loss
What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3? There are two forms of vitamin D supplements: ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol . The type of vitamin D our bodies naturally make from sunlight exposure is called cholecalciferol/D3. Vitamin D3 supplements are derived from animal products that contain cholesterol and are believed to be better utilized by our bodies compared to vitamin D2.
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Depression And Vitamin D Deficiency
For most people, low vitamin D levels tend to be more of a problem. Deficiency can have a number of health effects, including poor bone health, but it can also impact brain development and functioning. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with mental health conditions including seasonal affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
However, that does not mean that boosting vitamin D can always cure depression. One randomized controlled trial found insufficient evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplementation as a treatment for depression.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, whether or not it’s seasonal, talk to your doctor before you try to self-medicate with a supplement like vitamin D. Your doctor can assess your health and determine if vitamin D might help or if some other treatment would be more appropriate.
Vitamin D Types And Uses
It exists in two primary forms:
- Vitamin D2
- Vitamin D3
The D3 vitamin is only found in animal-sourced foods, whereas D2 mainly comes from plant sources and fortified foods. In addition, your skin makes vitamin D3 on exposure to sunlight.
If you take vitamin D supplements, consider choosing vitamin D3 because our bodies can absorb it more effectively than vitamin D2.
The Vitamin D capsules come with the IU or international units labelling.
Under normal circumstances, the recommended daily allowance is 400800 IU , but standard supplemental doses range from 1,0002,000 IU per day. Unless prescribed by a doctor, anything more could be harmful and detrimental to health.
Vitamin D is an essential constituent in maintaining the bodys balance of calcium and phosphorus. It helps in maintaining bone density and the structure of the body. It usually helps treat:
- Hypophosphatemia
- Asthma
- Hay fever
Vitamin D supplements are usually recommended for people over the age of 65 to prevent the decay of bones and other age-related complications.
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How To Take Vitamin D3
Use Vitamin D3 ) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all the guides or instruction sheets. Use only the recommended dose of cholecalciferol.
It may be best to take cholecalciferol after a meal, but you may take it with or without food.
Measure liquid cholecalciferol carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
To take a disintegrating tablet, place it on your tongue and do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
The cholecalciferol wafer is usually taken only once per week or once per month. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. The wafer must be chewed before you swallow it.
While using cholecalciferol, you will need frequent blood tests. You may also need x-rays.
Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with cholecalciferol.
Cholecalciferol may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.
Your Blood Toxicity Levels Are Too High
One of the first side effects will usually be noted by your doctor first. Vitamin D helps to boost immunity and protects the body from disease, which means that some of the effects are of the blood.
Can you have too much Vitamin D? Its no lie that getting too much of something is poisonous. Even too much of something good becomes poisonous within the bloodstream. Toxicity levels end up way too high. These toxicity levels will spread to the organs, preventing the whole body from working effectively. In fact, there can be issues like fatigue and forgetfulness linked to the toxicity problems.
Your doctor will be able to check for this by testing your blood levels. There will be signs of poisonous effects right away.
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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.
Heart Attack And Irregular Heartbeat
As per a 2012 study, high calcium content in the blood can reduce the ability of the heart cells to perform. As a result, a person with a high concentration of phosphate and calcium develops deposits in the heart valves and arteries. It leads to severe heart health issues. The symptoms of heart complications caused by Vitamin D are:
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this vitamin in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
