(Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)
What happens
when you have excess vitamin D in the body
Vitamin-D is an essential component of food that is required
for optimal functioning of the body. In the US, 40% adults do not have the
sufficient levels of the Vitamin in their bodies.
Vitamin D is required for the proper functioning of the
adaptive immune system as well as the innate immune system. It is also
imperative for the growth and development of muscles and maintenance of the
skeletal system. Not having the required amounts of Vitamin D in your body can
lead to a weak body that is prone to diseases, brittle bones and other adverse
effects. To make up for the deficiencies and insufficiencies of the vitamin,
most people rely on supplements.
Role of
supplements
Supplements of Vitamin D
have become extremely common and are safe to consume. The probability of
supplements causing toxicity in the body is extremely low. However, people with
certain medical conditions are more prone to Vitamin D toxicity. Conditions
like granulomatous disorders, deregulated vitamin D metabolism, congenital
disorders and some lymphomas make the body more susceptible to toxicity of the
vitamin. Other conditions that can cause toxicity include prescription errors,
accidental overdose and misuse of a high dosage supplement.
But the question is, how
does one identify a toxic condition? We bring to you the symptoms and
side-effects of Vitamin-D toxicity.
What does elevated
levels of vitamin D mean
30-60 ng/mL are
considered to be optimal levels of Vitamin D in the body. To cause toxicity,
the levels need to be higher than 100ng/mL and even after consuming supplements
in high amounts, the chances of toxicity remain nil. It is most likely to occur
as a result of inappropriate supplement dosing or prescription errors. Keeping
the daily intake below 10,000 IU per day would ensure that there are no chances
of toxicity. Despite all the data that you come across, you should make sure
that you consult a physician before consuming supplements so that your
prescription is in resonance with your bodily conditions and existing ailments.
Elevated blood
calcium levels
Since Vitamin D plays a
key role in absorbing calcium for your food, high levels of Vitamin D would
automatically lead to elevated levels of Calcium in the body. Normal range of
Calcium in the body is between 8.5 to 10.8 mg/dL. High levels of calcium are
represented by symptoms like digestive distress such as nausea, constipation
and stomach ache. Other symptoms include dizziness, hallucinations, excessive
urination, loss of appetite, kidney stones, high blood pressure, dehydration
and heart abnormalities. Hyper calcemia can be life threatening and should be
attended to immediately.
Altered mental
status
Since hyper calcemia is
a direct consequence of high levels of Vitamin D, it can lead to an altered
mental state that is characterized by confusion, psychosis and depression. If
you notice any such symptoms, you should immediately consult your physician.
Kidney
complications
Vitamin D toxicity can
lead to kidney injury or at times failure. Since calcium levels increase
because of high levels of Vitamin D, which leads to water loss because of too
much urination and calcification of the kidneys. Constriction of kidney blood
vessels which can lead to decreased kidney function.
Gastrointestinal
symptoms
Symptoms like nausea,
vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and poor appetite are all consequences of
hypercalcemia and these symptoms may vary from person to person. Having
gastro-intestinal symptoms is a sign of a probable Vitamin D toxicity.
No comments:
Post a Comment