Below are the 6 main side effects of too much vitamin D. Achieving adequate levels of vitamin D in your blood may help boost your immunity and protect you from diseases like osteoporosis and cancer (5). 4. Oral intake and topical administration of vitamin D, particularly vitamin D3, is likely safe in daily doses up to 4,000 IU a day, states Mayo Clinic. Kidney damage Although a vitamin D level of 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/l) is typically considered adequate, the Vitamin D Council recommends maintaining levels of 40–80 ng/ml (100–200 nmol/l) and states that anything over 100 ng/ml (250 nmol/l) may be harmful (6, 7). In another, two men took improperly labeled vitamin D supplements, leading to blood calcium levels of 13.2–15 mg/dl (3.3–3.7 mmol/l). ". Summary Too much vitamin D may lead to kidney injury in people with healthy kidneys, as well as those with established kidney disease. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. adrenalin, vitamin d, vitamins, vitamin d deficiency, vitamin/mineral supplementation and deficiency, side effect I took my first dose of 50,000 units of vitamin (D2) this past Friday night. Side Effects. Indeed, most studies have reported moderate-to-severe kidney injury in people who develop vitamin D toxicity (9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21). A study report published in the January 2003 issue of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" noted that intake of 5,000 to 5,500 IU of vitamin D daily for up to 20 weeks during the winter months among men living in Omaha, Nebraska, produced serum vitamin D levels just below 150 nmol/L. The Institute of Medicine's recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 600 IU for adults through age 70, and 800 IU thereafter. Your blood vitamin D level is affected by your sun exposure and dietary intake. This is a detailed review of vitamin D toxicity and how much vitamin D is considered too much. Even if you follow a healthy diet, you may require supplements to achieve optimal blood levels. Elevated body mass index -- an indicator the relative proportion of body fat -- is associated with lower blood vitamin D concentrations in Caucasian populations in North America and Europe, according to a report in the February 2013 issue of "PLoS Medicine. In one case study, a boy developed stomach pain and constipation after taking improperly labeled vitamin D supplements, whereas his brother experienced elevated blood levels without any other symptoms (16). Supplements are very common, and both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 can be taken in supplement form. Children age 9 years and older, adults, and pregnant and breast-feeding women who take more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D might experience: 1. Heart rhythm problems 10. However, it’s also possible to have too much of a good thing. Although many symptoms of excessive vitamin D are attributed to high blood calcium levels, some researchers suggest that megadoses may lead to low levels of vitamin K2 in the blood (18). Summary In some people, high-dose vitamin D therapy has been found to cause nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite due to high blood calcium levels. One of vitamin K2’s most important functions is to keep calcium in the bones and out of the blood. Is Taking 2000 IUs of Vitamin D3 Supplements Per Day Too Much? Excessive intake of vitamin D in amounts higher than the recommended dosage may result in loss of strength, exhaustion, drowsiness, headache, appetite loss, dizziness, retching and dry mouth. These research findings support the notion that vitamin D intake levels of around 5,000 IU daily are unlikely to be harmful in the short term. Toxicity symptoms have been reported at extremely high blood levels resulting from megadoses. This is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world. In one case study, a man was hospitalized for kidney failure, elevated blood calcium levels, and other symptoms that occurred after he received vitamin D injections prescribed by his doctor (20). ", Michael Peluso is a semi-retired scientist in the field of nutritional biochemistry. I was prescribed 50,000 units once a week for 12 weeks. Toxicity becomes a risk with higher intakes. Vitamin D actually functions as a hormone, and deficiency is incredibly common. To protect against bone loss, avoid taking excessive vitamin D supplements and take a vitamin K2 supplement. In fact, this is one of its most important roles. Importantly, toxicity isn’t common and occurs almost exclusively in people who take long-term, high-dose supplements without monitoring their blood levels. Stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea are common digestive complaints that are often related to food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome. Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors? If you’ve been taking vitamin D supplements and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed in this article, consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible. There are four fat-soluble vitamins in the human diet: A, D, E and K. This guide examines their health benefits, functions and main dietary sources. Oral intake and topical administration of vitamin D, particularly vitamin D3, is likely safe in daily doses up to 4,000 IU a day, states Mayo Clinic. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. However, taking extremely high doses of vitamin D3 for long periods may lead to excessive buildup in your body. Well, there are VERY few side effects of vitamin d- and most of those are very easily remedied when you know a few tricks. This is a detailed article about vitamin D and its health effects. Only one person had true toxicity, at 364 ng/ml (899 nmol/l) (8). Summary Vitamin D levels greater than 100 ng/ml (250 nmol/l) are considered potentially harmful. This article discusses 6 potential side effects of getting excessive amounts of this important vitamin. The Surprising Truth, 8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency, 7 Healthy Foods That Are High in Vitamin D, 7 Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common, Vitamin D 101 — A Detailed Beginner's Guide, digestive distress, such as vomiting, nausea, and. However, too much vitamin D can be detrimental to bone health. In another case study, an 18-month-old child who was given 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 for 3 months experienced diarrhea, stomach pain, and other symptoms. Vitamin D3 is produced in response to sun exposure and is found in animal products, whereas vitamin D2 occurs in plants. Serum vitamin D levels plateaued at 69 and 96 nmol/L in the low and high intake groups, respectively, without changing serum calcium levels. A vitamin D level of about 50 nmol/L corresponds to the RDA of 600 IU per day, which is considered adequate for bone and overall health in most people. Vomiting 3. It found that only 37 people had levels above 100 ng/ml (250 nmol/l). This article explores the relationship between vitamin D and body…. Make sure to avoid excessive doses of vitamin D. Generally, 4,000 IU or less per day is considered safe, as long as your blood values are being monitored. In addition, make sure you purchase supplements from reputable manufacturers to reduce the risk of accidental overdose due to improper labeling.