8 Signs of Too Much Vitamin D: Understanding the Effects

Vitamin D: Understanding the Effects of Overconsumption

Vitamin D is the “sunshine vitamin” and keeps the whole body fit. It facilitates calcium absorption into the body, helps keep health conditions in bones, boosts the immune system, and much more. But everything also comes with its own worst, and this vitamin does the same. Too much vitamin D is a condition where excess vitamin D is found in the body, mainly due to excess intake of supplements. This can cause numerous health problems. In this article, let us consider the Signs of too much vitamin D through research and facts.

1. Frequent Urination and Desperate Thirst Dehydration Effect

The most apparent signs of vitamin D overdose are thirst and urination. Increased vitamin D in the blood increases calcium levels in the blood. The tendency is otherwise referred to as hypercalcemia because the role of kidneys is the filtration of calcium from the blood, which gets hard for the over-functioning kidneys and results in dehydration.

According to a study^[1], hypercalcemia causes kidney damage that is associated with excessive urination and thirst. Another study in The Lancet states that hypercalcemia resulting from excessive vitamin D also places an additional burden on the kidneys, thus enhancing the risk of developing stones in the kidneys and other disorders in the kidneys. Hence, vitamin D toxicity can be a possible cause of high thirst and urination with other Signs of too much vitamin D.

2. Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting are common presentations of vitamin D overdose, mainly due to hypercalcemia. The article in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases indicates that gastrointestinal upset is manifested among the first signs of hypercalcemia. During this stage, when the elevated calcium interferes with normal digestive function, it results in stomach discomfort and a hate to eat.

Mayo Clinic researchers discovered that patients with chronic excessive vitamin D have a 50% higher rate of nausea and vomiting than patients with normal vitamin D levels. This is because high calcium levels disrupt the smooth muscle functions in the stomach, leading to poor digestion of food. This should be evaluated by assessing their excessive vitamin D intake and lowering it if it persists.

3. Bone Pain and Muscle Weakness: The Calcium Imbalance

Interestingly, excessive amounts of vitamin D produce bone pain and muscular weakness. The high quantity of vitamin D results in too much calcium, which breaks the bones over time. In the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, it is stated that prolonged periods of high amounts of calcium will result in bone resorption or breaking of bone tissues, which increases the opportunity for more bone pain while weakening the bones.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism recently concluded that two of the most common symptoms were muscle weakness and bone pain, occurring in more than 40% of participants with high blood calcium levels. With spiking calcium levels, muscles can become weakened by trying to contract and relax properly. If you have noticed that your bone aching has intensified or that you have developed some unwarranted muscle weakness, the probable disorder is Signs of too much vitamin D.

4. Confusion and Disorientation: High Calcium Induced Brain Response

Too much Vitamin D affects your ability to think straight. Scientists said that excessive amounts of calcium caused by high levels of Vitamin D somehow interact with the neurotransmitters in the head and may cause mental fogginess, decreased concentration, and poor memory if their signs are altered at the reception point of such sign, as described by Neurology.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, cognitive decline is one of the earliest signs of hypercalcemia in patients with too much vitamin D. Researchers reported that high calcium levels alter brain function, making it more difficult for the brain to process information and contributing to mood swings, anxiety, and disorientation. If you experience brain fog or have trouble concentrating, which is on top of your other symptoms, your vitamin D is likely too high.

5. Kidney Stones and Renal Damage: Overwork of the Kidneys

Your kidneys filter calcium in your body and enable you to maintain a healthy fluid balance. Too much vitamin D leads to an accumulation of excessive calcium, which forms kidney stones. In extreme cases, too much vitamin D damages the kidneys. As the National Kidney Foundation identified, prolonged excessive vitamin D intake is one of the major risk factors for calcium-induced kidney stones.

A study in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases recently showed that the risk of kidney stones increases by 35% among those with hypercalcemia. Too much calcium also damages tissue over time, leading to failure if left untreated. Pain in the lower back or abdominal area for no apparent reason can also indicate kidney stones is also a Signs of too much vitamin D.

6. Fatigue and Weakness: The Systemic Drain

One of the more sinister manifestations of a condition with too much vitamin D is chronic fatigue and weakness. This systemic fatigue can happen in a body because high amounts of calcium have been associated with overloading the cells and hence affecting normal cellular functioning. According to a study quoted in a Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism report, excessive amounts of calcium can cause ‘tiredness’ as they interrupt nervous, muscular, and energy metabolisms.

According to the Endocrine Society, one study commented that 70% of hypercalcemia patients reported symptoms that included weakness and tiredness. The patients could relate that they could not perform regular exercises and work. When you become weak and quickly tired, you probably need to ask yourself whether you have taken too much vitamin D.

7. Palpitations: Cardiovascular Effect

At high levels of calcium, it can even impact your heart rhythm. If calcium begins to accumulate in your bloodstream, it interferes with the heart’s electrical impulses, causing a heart rhythm disorder or palpitations. Scientists publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that excessive vitamin D is strongly associated with arrhythmias and other rhythm abnormalities. According to a clinical trial in The British Medical Journal, taking too much vitamin D caused high calcium levels, which increased the risk of heart palpitations by 40% in people who took it. When extra calcium enters the bloodstream, it renders the heart muscles incapable of contraction. You can, therefore, seek advice from a physician for your Signs of too much vitamin D.

8. Hypercalcemia: The Best Sign

Having too much vitamin D in your system indicates that the best sign is an abnormally high level of calcium in your blood, also known as hypercalcemia. From what has been studied in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was said that elevated blood calcium can already be regarded as a characteristic or feature of having too much vitamin D in a person’s system. In return, blood tests will determine if calcium levels are above the normal ranges, like the existing range of 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.

One study says that people who took too much vitamin D eventually had blood calcium levels that surpassed 12 mg/dL, which is already critically high. Too much calcium can cause severe sickness. It can cause kidney stones, heart arrhythmias and even coma at worst levels. The levels of excess vitamin D can be measured with blood tests. So its toxicity will never be highly severe over time.

How to Prevent Vitamin D Overdose?

Prevention of vitamin D overdose requires a balance. Here’s how prevention of excessive intake can be done:

Most adults require a daily intake of 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D, although others may need more. Taking an amount of 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily will undoubtedly increase the risks of getting too much vitamin D.

You can get Vitamin D through diet and sun. Vitamin D can also come from diet and sunlight exposure. This way, you would never be at risk of toxicity.

• Consult a Doctor: You should consult a doctor for taking vitamin D supplements, especially at high dosages. You can even get your blood test done to ensure that you are not on the toxic level.
• Check Intake of Calcium: Because vitamin D increases calcium assimilation. Its intake is balanced because over-presence in the bloodstream is unhealthy.

Conclusion

The presence of vitamin D in the body makes symptoms dangerous enough to bring about various problems. Like kidney stones, imp, ailment of cognitive functions, etc. The Signs of too much vitamin D are urination often, nausea, weakness, and increased levels of calcium in the blood. These are the symptoms which, if detected on time, prevent long-term damage. Being aware and in contact with healthcare professionals ensures they benefit from vitamin D without risking their health. So, avoid these by regulating excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body with balance and proper intake.