Although it’s pretty rare, some people who take vitamin D supplement over a longer period of time can experience some side effects. Here are some of the more serious issues that can occur when you consume too much vitamin D.
Hypercalcemia
An excess of calcium in the blood occurs when high levels of vitamin D metabolites increase the how much calcium the intestines can absorb and promote the release of calcium from the bones into the bloodstream.
When the body accumulates too much calcium in the blood, some pretty nasty symptoms can arise, including diarrhea and constipation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, join and muscle pain, continuous headaches, confusion or disorientation, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, frequent urination, unexplained exhaustion, joint and muscle pain and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Dehydration
Although no one can confirm why, it’s theorized that high calcium levels reduce the effects of antidiuretic hormones, causing the kidney to produce large quantities of urine.
When dehydration occurs, other symptoms‑such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, increase thirst, decreased tear production and irritability can occur. In addition, some people can tell if they’re dehydrated if their skin is slow to return to normal after being pinched.
While slight dehydration isn’t a big issue for most people, severe dehydration can be serious, even deadly. Symptoms of severe dehydration include low blood pressure, extreme exhaustion, unconsciousness, little or no urine output and weak pulse.
Kidney damage
Excess calcium can wreak havoc on the kidneys, which are especially vulnerable to calcium deposits. Because the kidneys have small passageways and work as filters for the body, these calcium deposits can cause permanent damage and even kidney failure.
Referred to as nephrocalcinosis, this condition can cause severe pain the stomach, back, groin and testicles, as well as fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.
Taking vitamin D can be beneficial for people who don’t get enough naturally from food or sunlight, but talk to a nutritionist about how much is right for you based on your age, sex, weight, diet and medical history.
