What are the Consequences of Too Much Vitamin D?

Too much vitamin D can result in a bevy of medical problems, ranging from the mild to the serious. Though vitamin D is an essential staple for a healthy diet, it must be consumed in moderation. Vitamin D overdose is both dangerous and even potentially fatal. At the same time, many medical professionals say it's difficult to actually overdo vitamin D intake.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient responsible for promoting the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphate in the body. This ensures proper bone growth and bone remodeling. It also helps prevent osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer. According to researchers, the proper daily dosage of vitamin D is between 200 IU to 600 IU per day, depending on age.

A problem arises when people begin to consume too much vitamin D. Most deaths that occur from toxicity result from people trying to self-medicate themselves with vitamin D supplements. Granted, vitamin D poses many benefits for the human body, but only if consumed in moderation. Just like too much water can harm and potentially kill someone, so can too much vitamin D.

In particular, too much vitamin D can lead to a state of hypercalcemia, in which there’s a toxic buildup of calcium in the bloodstream. The short-term effects include confusion, constipation, a poor appetite, and weakness. Long-term exposure to too vitamin D is far more dangerous. The build-up of calcium can cause the arteries to harden, leading to irregular heartbeats and, eventually, a stroke or heart disease. It can also affect the lungs' ability to do their job and lead to kidney stones, which can make conditions such as sarcoidosis and lymphoma even worse.

Babies are especially at risk for vitamin D toxicity. Many parents use vitamin D drops as a supplement for their children, but they don't realize the potential harm that could be done. It's important that parents ensure their children are never given more than 400 IU of vitamin D per day. Mind you, they should also make certain the children don't receive any less than 400 IU a day.

Thankfully, few people die from consuming too much vitamin D. The amount required for an adult to suffer catastrophic symptoms is approximately 50,000 IU or more per day. Note that this amount must be consumed for weeks or months before the most serious effects begin to pop up. The bottom line is that far more deaths result from vitamin D deficiency than from having too much vitamin D. Nevertheless, it’s wise to play it safe by sticking to the recommend daily allowance of vitamin D, especially when dealing with children.