Vitamin D: 4 Symptoms That Can Signal You’re Taking Too Much
The headline “stop vitamin D immediately” is too broad. Vitamin D is essential, and deficiency can require supplementation. The concern is excessive vitamin D intake, which can raise blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia) and cause serious complications.
Four symptoms that deserve prompt medical attention if you’re taking vitamin D include:
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Persistent nausea or vomiting — Excess vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, which may produce gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Unusual thirst and frequent urination — High calcium levels can make you very thirsty and cause increased urination.
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Weakness or unusual fatigue — Significant hypercalcemia can cause marked weakness and tiredness.
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Confusion or significant changes in mental status — Severe hypercalcemia can affect the nervous system and requires urgent assessment.
Other possible signs of vitamin D toxicity include loss of appetite, constipation, dehydration, and kidney problems.
What should you do?
If you develop these symptoms while taking vitamin D, don’t simply assume vitamin D is the cause. Contact a healthcare professional promptly and tell them the dose and all supplements you’re taking. A blood test can check vitamin D and calcium levels and help identify the cause.
For adults, the usual recommended daily intake is 600–800 IU (15–20 mcg) depending on age, while the general tolerable upper intake level is 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day unless a healthcare professional has prescribed a higher dose for a specific reason.
Do not stop a medically prescribed vitamin D regimen without discussing it with your clinician. Conversely, if you’re taking high-dose vitamin D on your own and have symptoms suggestive of toxicity, seek medical advice rather than taking another dose until you’ve been assessed.
