Too much of a good thing sometimes can be terrible. Doctors caution that taking too much of any supplement can be life-threatening.
A middle-aged man was referred to the hospital by his family doctor after he complained of recurrent vomiting, nausea, abdominal discomfort, leg cramps, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dry mouth, increased thirst, diarrhoea, and weight loss (28 lbs or 12.7 kg).
These symptoms had been present for approximately three months, beginning roughly one month after he started an extensive vitamin supplement program at the suggestion of a nutritional therapist.
The man had a number of medical conditions, including tuberculosis, a tumor in the inner ear (left vestibular schwannoma), which had rendered him deaf in that ear, hydrocephalus, bacterial meningitis, and chronic sinusitis.
Every day, he took high doses of more than 20 over-the-counter supplements, including vitamin D 50000 mg—the daily requirement is 600 mg or 400 IU; vitamin K2 100 mg (daily requirement 100-300 g); vitamin C, vitamin B9 (folate) 1000 mg (daily requirement 400 g); vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6, omega-3 2000 mg twice daily (daily requirement 200-500 mg), and several other vitamin, mineral,
He stopped taking his daily supplement mix when symptoms started to appear, but they persisted.
Blood tests done by his family physician revealed that he had extremely high calcium levels and slightly elevated magnesium levels. Additionally, his vitamin D level was seven times higher than what was considered sufficient.
Additionally, the examinations revealed that his kidneys weren’t functioning properly (acute kidney injury). To check for malignancy, numerous x-rays and scans produced normal results.
The patient spent eight days in the hospital receiving intravenous fluids to wash out his system and receiving treatment with bisphosphonates, which are typically used to strengthen bones or lower high calcium levels in the blood.
His calcium level had recovered to normal two months after leaving the hospital, but his vitamin D level remained too high.
Women, children, and patients undergoing surgery are more likely to be impacted by hypervitaminosis D, which is a clinical disorder characterized by increased serum vitamin D3 levels, according to the authors.
Dietary sources of vitamin D, such as wild mushrooms and oily fish, sun exposure, and supplementation can all help people reach the recommended amounts.
“Given its slow turnover (half-life of approximately 2 months), during which vitamin D toxicity develops, symptoms can last for several weeks,” the authors write in their study published in the journal BMJ Case Reports.
They point out that the symptoms of hypervitaminosis D are numerous and varied, and are usually caused by an excess of calcium in the blood. Drowsiness, confusion, apathy, psychosis, depression, stupor, coma, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and abnormalities of the kidneys, including renal failure, are among them.
In addition, they mention keratopathy (inflammatory eye illness), joint stiffness (arthralgia), and hearing loss or deafness as additional symptoms.
The authors point out that this is just one instance and that although hypervitaminosis D is becoming more widespread, it is still quite rare.
Despite this, they claim that people may not be aware of the risks associated with vitamin D overdose or the widespread use of complementary therapies, which includes the use of dietary supplements.
The authors write in their conclusion, “This case report further highlights the potential toxicity of supplements that are largely considered safe until taken in unsafe amounts or in unsafe combinations.”
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