Doctors have highlighted a 'growing trend' around vitamin D supplements and urged people taking them to be careful after a middle-aged man had to be hospitalised.
Vitamin D is a hugely beneficial supplement. Not only does vitamin D aid with the growth and development of bones and teeth, but it's also been found to reduce the risk of certain diseases.
In the UK, the government recommends that everyone should consider taking vitamin D between October and March each year, since in this country we don't receive enough vitamin D from sunlight in winter.
Research suggests that vitamin D may reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis; decrease the chance of heart disease and reduce the likelihood of severe illness.
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It's also been found to support immune health, with those having lower than adequate levels of vitamin D also being potentially more at risk of infection and autoimmune diseases.
It's certainly a vitamin that you'd want to be on top of, but experts are also warning people about the potentially severe risks of overdosing on vitamin D.
In a BMJ Case Report, one man needed hospital admission for his excessive vitamin D intake.
Terrifying symptoms
The man, reported as middle-aged, was referred to hospital after he began suffering with vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, leg cramps, tinnitus, dry mouth, increased thirst, diarrhoea and weight loss.
The concerning symptoms had been ongoing for three months, but began around four weeks after he started taking increased vitamin D supplements.
He already had existing health issues, including 'tuberculosis, an inner ear tumour (left vestibular schwannoma), which had resulted in deafness in that ear, a build-up of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), bacterial meningitis, and chronic sinusitis'.
The report explains how doctors discovered he had been taking more than 20 supplements every day.
These were: vitamin D 150000 IU; vitamin K2; vitamin C; vitamin B9; vitamin B2; vitamin B6, and omega-3 2000 mg as well as other supplements.
Although the man had stopped his vitamin regime when his symptoms started, he was still suffering and decided to visit the doctor.
'Unsafe amounts and combinations'
Blood tests revealed high levels of calcium and a vitamin D level seven times the sufficient level required.
Kidney function tests also revealed acute kidney injury, meanwhile scans ruled out any serious conditions such as cancer.
“Globally, there is a growing trend of hypervitaminosis D, a clinical condition characterised by elevated serum vitamin D3 levels,” write authors.
“Given its slow turnover (half-life of approximately 2 months), during which vitamin D toxicity develops, symptoms can last for several weeks.
“This case report further highlights the potential toxicity of supplements that are largely considered safe until taken in unsafe amounts or in unsafe combinations.”
According to the NHS, 10 micrograms of vitamin D in winter is enough for most people, and you definitely shouldn't take any more than 100 micrograms.
Ben's Natural Health told The Sun you also need to be careful about the combinations of supplements you're taking, and if you're using them alongside certain medications.
For instance, vitamin K can counteract the effects of blood-thinning medication, calcium supplements can inhibit iron absorption, while zic can inhibit the absorption of copper.
The man who overdosed on vitamin D ended up staying in hospital for eight days, but even two months after discharge, his vitamin D levels were still abnormally high.
The report warns that symptoms of hypervitaminosis D can include: drowsiness; confusion; apathy; psychosis; depression; stupor; coma; anorexia; abdominal pain; vomiting; constipation; peptic ulcers; pancreatitis; high blood pressure; abnormal heart rhythm and kidney issues.
Lucy Devine