Medical professionals have issued a stark warning about the dangers of vitamin D overdose after a middle-aged man was hospitalised with severe symptoms. The case highlights the growing concern about hypervitaminosis D, a condition caused by excessive vitamin D intake that can lead to serious health complications.
Severe Symptoms From Supplement Overuse
The patient first visited his GP complaining of multiple distressing symptoms that had persisted for three months. These included vomiting, nausea, chest pain, leg cramps, ringing in his ears, a dry mouth, excessive thirst, diarrhoea and unexplained weight loss. His symptoms began after he started consulting a nutritional therapist who recommended various vitamin supplements.
Alarming Supplement Regimen
Investigations revealed the man had been taking more than 20 different over-the-counter supplements daily, containing a dangerous cocktail of nutrients. Most concerning was his vitamin D intake - he was consuming 50,000mg daily, which represents more than 80 times the recommended daily amount of just 600mg.
His supplement regimen also contained excessive amounts of vitamin B9 and omega-3 fatty acids, mixed with various other vitamin, mineral, nutrient and probiotic supplements. Despite stopping the supplements when his symptoms developed, his condition continued to deteriorate.
Hospital Treatment and Recovery
Blood tests ordered by his doctor revealed alarming results. The patient had seven times the healthy level of vitamin D in his system, along with dangerously high calcium levels and elevated magnesium. His kidney function was impaired, though scans ruled out cancer.
The man required an eight-day hospital stay where medical staff administered intravenous fluids to flush the excess supplements from his system. He also received medications typically used to strengthen bones and reduce calcium levels in the blood.
Slow Recovery Process
Two months after discharge, while his calcium levels had returned to normal, his vitamin D levels remained elevated. The patient had pre-existing health conditions including tuberculosis, an inner ear tumour that caused deafness in one ear, fluid build-up in the brain, bacterial meningitis and chronic sinusitis, which may have complicated his recovery.
Growing Concern About Hypervitaminosis D
Researchers note that hypervitaminosis D is becoming increasingly common worldwide. This clinical condition, characterised by elevated serum vitamin D3 levels, can cause symptoms lasting several weeks. The research team emphasised that while relatively rare, it's crucial people understand that vitamin D overdose is possible.
The symptoms of hypervitaminosis D are varied and potentially serious, including:
- Drowsiness, confusion and psychosis
- Depression, stupor and coma
- Anorexia and digestive issues
- Chest pain and abnormal heart rhythm
- High blood pressure and kidney abnormalities
- Inflammatory eye disease and hearing loss
Official NHS Guidance
The NHS recommends that everyone over one year old considers taking a daily 10 microgram (400 IU) vitamin D supplement from October to March, when sunlight exposure is limited. Natural sources include wild mushrooms, oily fish and sunlight exposure.
Researchers concluded: "This case report further highlights the potential toxicity of supplements that are largely considered safe until taken in unsafe amounts or in unsafe combinations." The findings were published in the BMJ Case Reports journal, serving as an important reminder about responsible supplement use.
