Vitamin D Overdose Symptoms – Is Your Health At Risk?

By Ganda Putra

Vitamin D may be one of the most important essential vitamins in our diet, but it also carries certain risks if used in high dosages.  You may have talked to a family member or friend who is suddenly taking 50,000IU Vitamin D capsules prescribed by their Doctor and it sounds like a great idea to you.  Before you consider taking high dosages you need to be aware of Vitamin D overdose symptoms and realize the risks you may be taking.

Vitamin D Overdose Symptoms – The Real Dangers of Too Much Vitamin D

Vitamin D can produce a myriad of symptoms.  Most of these vitamin D overdose symptoms are actually caused by the changes in your calcium and phosphate levels.  Your body utilizes vitamin D to aid in maintaining the proper balances of calcium and phosphate in your bloodstream.

When an imbalanace occurs it can lead to these symptoms:

• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Nervousness
• Renal Failure
• Kidney Stones
• Kidney Damage or Failure

The are not mild problems but serious conditions which not only affect your health but can place your life at risk.  Vitamin D must be taken according to the guidelines established by the Institute of Medicine, or recommended by your physcian.

Proper Vitamin D Intake Eliminates the Risk

By following common sense and using the Institute of Medicine guidelines you can eliminate the risk of experiencing Vitamin D overdose symptoms.  The following is the recommended intake levels:

• Infants (Under 1 year old) – 400IU/Day
• 1 to 70 Years Old – 600IU/Day
• 71 Years or Older – 800IU/Day
• Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women – 600IU/Day

It is important to note the increased needs of senior citizens.  The production of Vitamin D through sun exposure decreases with age.  Persons with dark complexions may experience reduced Vitamin D production from sunlight requiring higher levels of supplementation.

Maximum Levels of Vitamin D Intake To Consider

The Institute of Medicine does not only set recommended intake levels they set a highest tolerable level, too.  Keep in mind these levels are based on a average person.  Someone with a serious vitamin D deficiency may be prescribed higher doses for a limited amount of time.  The highest tolerable levels of  vitam D are:

• 0-6 Month Old Infants – 1,000IU/Day
• 6-12 Month Old Infants – 1,500IU/Day
• 1-3 Year Old Toddlers – 2,500IU/Day
• 4-8 Year Old Children – 3,000IU/Day
• 9-71+ Year Old Children and Adults – 4,000IU/Day
• Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women – 4,000IU/Day (These levels should not be considered without advice from your Obstetrician.)

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For most healthy people it is very easy to avoid Vitamin D overdose symptoms.  By getting a little sunlight, eating fresh fish epecially salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna, or taking a regular daily multi-vitamin you will get all of the vitamin D your body requires.  Only in cases of being diagnosed with a severe vitamin D deficiency is any higher dosages required.  If you are considering higher dosages it would be highly recommended to visit with your Doctor first.