Vitamin D overdose in adults. Vitamin D overdose treatment

Vitamin D3 is a substance that is both a hormone and, as it is called, a "solar vitamin". There are two types of this substance:

• natural - it is included in the composition of animal products;
• synthetic - formed under the influence of sunlight, is part of various food additives.

There are several more forms of this substance - D 4, D 5 and D 6. These groups are the precursors of D3, they do not have such a high biological activity, in medicine they are used as an antitumor agent.

A person is not immune from vitamin D3 deficiency at any age. With insufficient consumption of it, various health problems appear. Despite the indisputable benefit, you should know that an overdose of vitamin D3 can lead to the most serious consequences. Hypervitaminosis is an overdose that requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose of vitamin D3 are due to the severity of the poisoning; in adults, this process proceeds slightly differently than in children.

How much and why do you need to take vitamin D3

The drug D3 is used for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Why is he appointed? To prevent rickets, doctors recommend it to children from the first days of life, especially babies born in the autumn-winter period, when there is little sun. As a medicinal product for adults and children, it is prescribed in the following cases:

• with the development of rickets;
• with increased fragility of bones and their prolonged splicing;
• with low levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body;
• with inflammation of the bone marrow;
• with tuberculosis;
• with lupus erythematosus.

What is vitamin D3 for? A deficiency, as well as an overdose of vitamin D, can cause serious health problems. The scope of this substance includes:

• protein synthesis;
• normalization of skeletal growth;
• saturation of teeth, bone tissue with minerals;
• strengthening muscle tissue;
• raising the body's defenses.

The daily dose of vitamin D for adults and adolescent children is 10 mcg, for children from 4 years old - 2, 5 -3 mcg, up to 4 years old - 8 - 10 mcg. Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning are observed after taking 15 μg or more of the substance daily. Usually, the dose is determined by age, lifestyle, climatic and environmental conditions and individual characteristics of the body. Depending on a number of factors, the dosage can be increased, this applies to people:

• living in the Far North or in ecologically unfavorable areas;
• having kidney and gastrointestinal tract diseases;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• undergoing long-term treatment in a hospital.

Vitamin D overdose is not common because it is a fat-soluble substance and accumulates without harm to health. Usually this phenomenon is observed in infants, whose body has not yet adapted to the environment, has not learned to deal with an excess of certain substances.

Cause of vitamin D overdose

There is an acute and chronic form of vitamin D overdose. There can be many reasons for the development of this phenomenon. These include:

• uncontrolled intake of the drug without a doctor's recommendation;
• the wrong dose was prescribed for the treatment of a small child;
• spending a long time in the sun and taking the drug at the same time.

An excess of vitamin D can develop due to parental negligence. Quite often, adults leave the drug in a place accessible to the child, as a result of which he eats a large amount of the substance without parental permission.

Common signs of overdose

Symptoms of an oversupply of the drug are primary and secondary. Primary ones appear almost immediately after excessive intake of the substance, while secondary ones can appear after a while. The general signs of an overdose are as follows:

• poor appetite;
• persistent nausea;
• severe vomiting;
• unquenchable thirst.

This is how the primary symptoms of poisoning look, after a while secondary symptoms appear:

• there is causeless anxiety and irritability;
• blood pressure jumps;
• urination becomes more frequent;
• renal dysfunction appears.

This sign is fraught with serious danger, often with irreversible consequences.

Overdose in adults and children

An overdose of vitamin D3 in adults is much less common than in children. In case of poisoning with this substance, all primary as well as secondary symptoms occur. Depending on the characteristics of the organism, it can be observed:

• high temperature;
• sudden weight loss;
• dysfunction of the nervous system;
• heart palpitations;
• blanching of the skin.

An overdose of vitamin D in adults is characterized by a significant decrease in the immune system, as a result of which a person is constantly sick with infectious and viral diseases.

A child suffering from this kind of intoxication usually takes it hard. The following symptoms appear:

• loss of appetite;
• insomnia appears;
• the digestive process fails;
• vomiting and diarrhea opens;
• the skin turns pale, becomes flabby.

In severe cases, respiratory failure, convulsions, develops, the heartbeat slows down.

How to treat an overdose

Treatment of an overdose of vitamin D is carried out in a hospital, especially when it comes to young children. First, the source of the substance entering the body is eliminated, then the symptoms of intoxication are removed. For this, adults and children are strictly prohibited from eating:

• dairy products;
• chicken eggs;
• fatty fish and meat;
• beef liver.

There is a complete ban on sun exposure during treatment. The patient is given a lot of fluid and is prescribed bed rest. You can treat an excess of vitamin D with the following drugs:

• glucocorticosteroids - they are prescribed to relieve inflammation, provoked by calcification;
• ammonium chloride - prevents the formation of calcium stones in the kidneys;
• vitamins C and B - they help restore metabolism to normal.

Why is an overdose dangerous? This phenomenon leads to a variety of pathologies:

• osteoporosis;
• deposition of salts in the tissues of the kidneys, heart and lungs;
• blockage of blood vessels;
• arthralgia.

If you take all the necessary measures in time, that is, stop taking the drug, seek help from a doctor, the symptoms of an overdose will pass after a short time.

Be healthy!

otravynet.ru

Why is excess vitamin D dangerous?

In the long term, a chronic excess of vitamin D can lead to very serious pathologies:

• osteoporosis and bone demineralization
• bone marrow stroma resorption
• blockage of blood vessels and valves of the cardiovascular system with mucopolysaccharides, their hardening, development of atherosclerosis
• increased deposition of calcium salts in internal organs
• polyuria
• arthralgia.

In children, with a constant excess of vitamin D, asthenia develops, disorders in the development of the skeleton are possible, associated with an excess of the rate of bone growth over the rate of strengthening the joints and muscle corset. For this reason, scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis can develop, dislocations and fractures become more frequent, and excessive growth appears.

However, at first, an excess of vitamin D is characterized by temporary specific disorders, according to which it can be quickly calculated and taken in time without allowing the situation to worsen.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis

When taking several ultra-high doses of vitamin D or the beginning of a reaction to its chronic overdose, characteristic symptoms develop:

• digestive disorders - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation, loss of appetite
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• fever
• muscle pain, pain in the head and joints
• convulsions
• increased blood pressure.

It is these symptoms of vitamin D overdose that occur in the first place. They also pass quickly enough when you stop taking drugs or normalize their amount.

Features of an overdose of vitamin D in infants

The specificity of an overdose of vitamin D in infants is that, in addition to the symptoms characteristic of it, the child can often have an individual reaction. If the baby has other somatic diseases, hypervitaminosis can worsen his condition and aggravate symptoms.

In general, the symptoms of vitamin D overdose in infants and children under one year old are as follows:

• Sleep disorders, which is especially well manifested if the child has already developed a nighttime sleep pattern. With hypervitaminosis D, the child becomes more restless, often cries at night, falls asleep longer, even if he wants to sleep.
• Slow down hair growth.
• Vomiting, frequent regurgitation.
• Increased urine output, thirst.
• Violation of the bowel movement.

Most often, an overdose of vitamin D in infants occurs due to the carelessness of the parents. Vitamin preparations for infants are designed to take 1 drop per day. Two drops will already be an excessive dose, and three drops may well cause hypervitaminosis with constant use.

It is very easy to make a mistake when dosing at home. It is even easier to consider that "a little more is not scary" and consciously give the child excess amounts of vitamin.

On a note

An overdose of vitamin D in infants is also a common occurrence because, due to the small amount of adipose tissue, the child's body simply has nowhere to put excess cholecalciferol. The normal dose for a newborn is 75% of the norm for an adult, while the child's body weight is 10-15 times less. 1 drop of the same Aquadetrim fully provides vitamin D for an adult, and therefore for a small child, even small fluctuations in the amount of vitamin entering the body can be critical.

“We were on HB, in the second month the doctor prescribed vitamin D in preventive doses. At three months, it turned out that I did not have enough milk, and they began to add the mixture. Accordingly, instead of a prophylactic dose, the doctor already prescribed the usual therapeutic one, although the daughter did not have any signs of rickets, and D3 was part of the mixture. And then it began: because of the bald nape - one more drop per day, after ARVI - they generally prescribed 5 drops of Aquadetrim per day. Now I read the normal instructions and was horrified, but then I did not even think about it. The little one started to sleep badly, she has constant thirst, pimples under her arms. The pediatrician looked - and again said that the matter was in vitamin D and it was not enough. Fortunately, a friend of the infectious disease specialist pulled me up in time and said that without signs of rickets, a child should not drink more than 1 drop a day. Then I just found out that all the troubles are not due to a lack, but due to an excess of vitamin. Nightmare, I was ready to kill the doctor ... "

Alla, Ryazan

Amounts of vitamin D sufficient for overdose

The normal amount of vitamin D for an adult is 400-600 IU per day (10-15 mcg per day), depending on body weight and physiological state. The maximum amount of 600 IU is prescribed for the treatment of certain diseases and for short-term use by pregnant women.

The need for vitamin D in an infant is 300-400 IU per day (7.5-10 μg).

Insignificant (one and a half times) one-time non-permanent excess of these quantities will not lead to the development of an overdose. Higher doses can already cause mild manifestations of hypervitaminosis, usually limited to digestive disorders.

On a note

It should be remembered that a significant amount of vitamin D is produced in a person of any age in the skin under the influence of sunlight (on a summer day outside - the full daily norm). Adding additional doses to this number, even prophylactic ones, can already lead to an overdose.

Serious overdose of vitamin D occurs with regular use of more than 2,000 IU or with a single intake of 10,000 - 15,000 IU.

On a note

1 drop of Aquadetrim or Vitamin D-Tev contains 600 IU of vitamin - the full daily requirement. For a single overdose, it is enough to use 15-18 drops, and for the development of chronic hypervitaminosis - 3-4 drops daily.

How to avoid overdose?

Avoiding an overdose of vitamin D is easy. It is important to remember that in the absence of obvious signs of rickets and symptoms of hypovitaminosis, you should not use it. You can add vitamin-rich foods to your diet and be in the sun as often as possible, exposing exposed parts of the body to it.

In winter, for a healthy adult and child, the use of a daily dose of vitamin will be justified as a prevention of hypovitaminosis. But more than 400 IU per day can be taken only in the following cases:

• as directed by a doctor, preferably with confirmation of the need for admission by several more specialists;
• in the presence of obvious health problems, the doctor must already figure out whether vitamin D will help in these cases;
• in the absence of an opportunity to consume vitamin D with food.

It should be remembered that in many cases, the cause of vitamin D overdose is self-medication. Even if the patient does not trust a particular doctor, it is wiser to seek advice from several specialists and act on the results of consultations with them than to prescribe treatment on their own. In any case, when taking vitamin D, you should carefully monitor your body and well-being, and in the presence of any sharp disorders, reduce the dosage or completely cancel the intake of the vitamin for a while.

The benefits and harms of vitamin D: should it be given to children

www.vitaminius.ru

Vitamin D: overdose and its causes

An excess of vitamin D is not as common as poisoning with other vitamins due to its specificity, and almost all cases of intoxication due to an excess are explained by the desire to play it safe and give more vitamin to the child in order to prevent rickets, or by illiteracy in prescribing doses (which, alas, refers not only to people who "prescribe" the vitamin themselves, but also to some doctors).

As a rule, one-time overdoses are not dangerous, unless the vitamin was taken in incredibly large quantities. Much more characteristic of an overdose of vitamin D is the chronic form - the gradual accumulation of calciferol in adipose tissues with a constant excess of the dose for a long time.

An overdose of vitamin D can be caused by exceeding normal doses by more than 1.5-2 times during a month (and more often several months), and it is important to understand that we are talking about the total content of calciferol in the body, which means that they should be taken into account all its sources.

How does an excess of vitamin end up in the body?

• First, a detailed situation is possible if the ability of the organism itself to synthesize this substance in its cells under the influence of the sun is not taken into account. Staying for a walk in the summer for a couple of hours provides the body with a full daily norm if the day was cloudless. Therefore, if you add synthetic vitamins to walks in the summer, getting an overdose of vitamin D is easier than ever.
• Secondly, a violation of the dosage leads to hypervitaminosis either unknowingly or intentionally (alas, there is often a desire to “feed” vitamins with interest, not taking into account the fact that a lot does not mean good).
• Third, an excessive concentration of vitamin in the body may not be needed if a person is at risk - is among people who are especially sensitive to calciferol, including kidney patients, heart patients, seriously ill and bedridden, pregnant and lactating mothers as well as obese people (after all, as we remember, fat-soluble vitamin D accumulates in adipose tissues).
• And fourthly, sometimes an overdose can be one-time, but very large: the baby drank a bottle of the drug, the grandmother gave the vitamin a full tablespoon, confusing it with fish oil, and not a dropper drop by drop, or someone deliberately gives or takes a vitamin preparation with the aim of causing harm to health.

On the other hand, sometimes even exceeding the dosage does without dangerous consequences. For example, if an overdose was made in relation to a child with rickets: they tolerate such excess much easier than healthy babies, because in a patient with rickets there is too much calciferol deficiency.

Another factor that reduces the risk is taking natural fish oil instead of synthetic vitamin D: natural fish oil (as well as cod liver oil) also contain vitamin A, which prevents vitamin D overdose.

How does vitamin D enter the body?

In order to avoid exceeding the dose of the vitamin, you need to understand where it comes from in our body.

In addition, as we already know, the production of the cells themselves under the influence of sunlight, there is also a nutritional way to replenish the reserves of this vitamin. Therefore, if you are giving or taking vitamin D yourself, do not saturate your diet:

• fish oil,
• fatty fish
• seaweed (including canned),
• caviar,
• seafood.

You should also be careful about the amount of dairy products, cheeses, butter, egg yolks, oatmeal and even forest mushrooms consumed.

Vitamin D poisoning symptoms: when to sound the alarm?

An overdose of vitamin D causes an increase in calcium and phosphorus in the blood in the body, which means that it increases the content of these elements in virtually all organs and systems, provokes calcification of the walls of blood vessels, liver, kidney, heart and lung tissues.

An excess of vitamin D is manifested by the following symptoms:

• violation of the digestive process (various, sometimes opposite manifestations: from nausea and vomiting with diarrhea - to constipation and loss of appetite);
• shortness of breath and breathing problems;
• muscle and joint pain;
• headaches;
• convulsions;
• high blood pressure;
• fever and fever.

However, these manifestations disappear, one has only to remove the source of excess vitaminization from the diet.

It is important to understand that, since hypervitaminization can be acute and chronic, its manifestations can also differ in these two forms.

In case of an acute overdose, the most dangerous signs can be considered:

• complete loss of appetite;
• nausea and then frequent vomiting and diarrhea;
• dehydration, thirst, dry skin and mucous membranes;
• pressure rise;
• decreased cardiac activity (the pulse becomes less frequent, the skin has a bluish tint);
• increased thirst;
• an increase in the number and volume of urination;
• the appearance of seizures;
• loss of consciousness.

In the chronic form (more than several months) of overdose, neurological and gastrointestinal manifestations come to the fore:

• fast fatigue,
• constant irritability, low mood,
• asthenia, loss of appetite and body weight,
• sleep disturbances and drowsiness,
• muscle pain, cramps, tics,
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting,
• diarrhea or constipation
• frequent urination, risk of pyelonephritis,
• aching pain in the lower back,
• toothaches,
• swelling
• skin manifestations (itchy rashes),
• loss of immunity, soreness,
• increased risk of bone fractures.

Vitamin D overdose symptoms include deadly ones!

• Increased stone formation in the kidneys can lead to death, as the kidneys simply fail.
• Disturbed work of the calcified heart (calcium deposition in the heart muscle is outwardly manifested at first only by arrhythmia).
• The brain is compressed, the vessels of which also calcify.
• Acidosis appears - an increase in the general acidity of the body.

Vitamin overdose in children

The reaction of the child's body to a constant excess of vitamin D differs primarily in that:

• the fontanelle "closes" too quickly and the bones of the skull close;
• the formation of the skeleton is distorted, its correct development is disturbed (especially of the tubular bones) due to their rapid growth against the background of insufficient strengthening of muscles, ligaments and joints, diseases such as kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis and even osteoporosis appear, due to which fractures and dislocations;
• existing diseases are exacerbated, their course is more difficult;
• hair grows more slowly and worse;
• the skin loses its elasticity, becomes dry;
• gray pallor of the skin, blue under the eyes;
• the child dramatically loses weight and lags behind in growth;
• he is thirsty all the time;
• the temperature is often slightly elevated;
• on examinations, the liver and spleen are enlarged, and the pulse is slowed down.

If the intoxication is acute, and not chronic, that is, the baby received a one-time excess dose of the vitamin, the manifestations will be as follows:

• a baby-baby spits up too often, in older ones - constant vomiting, especially with a one-time significant excess;
• stool is also disturbed (individual variations of deviation are observed - from constipation to diarrhea);
• the baby cannot get drunk in any way, and therefore pees a lot, much more than usual
• sleep is disturbed: it becomes restless, interrupted by crying, and falling asleep becomes painfully long, even if the child is very tired;
• muscle cramps and spasms occur;
• irritability and increased moodiness appear.

In the case of an overdose of vitamin D in infants, 100% responsibility lies only with the parents: babies are not able, like older children, to take vitamins on their own - adults give and dose them, which means that dosage errors arise only through their fault. Regular intake of vitamin "supplemented" will not end well: calciferol, like any other substance, should be in the body in optimal quantities, and not in excess, because in case of an overdose, it simply flushes calcium from the bones, which then accumulates in the internal organs, muscles and blood vessels.

A small child has very little body fat, and he simply has nowhere to form a "depot" of excess calciferol, therefore, an overdose of vitamin D 3 (and infants are usually prescribed Aquadetrim, that is, a water-soluble version of cholecaccalciferol) will immediately "hit" symptoms of intoxication, even with minor ones on your glance overshoots.

Strictly follow the dosage and do not exceed it at your discretion - otherwise the child will have to pay with his health for your fears and incompetence.

Competent help

If mistakes in taking the vitamin have already been made, they must be corrected immediately.

In the case when it comes to taking a large dose of a vitamin at a time (for example, the child drank the entire bottle), the actions will be standard, as with any intoxication:

• gastric lavage with a large amount (up to one and a half liters) of slightly salted water;
• reception of absorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel, Polisorb, etc.);
• taking saline laxatives;
• an ambulance call.

If it is necessary to provide assistance with a chronic excess of the dose of vitamin D, then in the competence of the parents there are only two correct moves:

• immediate cessation of drug use;
• immediate admission to the hospital.

It is especially important to provide timely assistance in case of intoxication in infants under one year old and pregnant women.

Doctors, in addition to the main and symptomatic treatment, will also prescribe:

• a special diet with minimal consumption of foods containing vitamin D and calcium;
• daily routine (minimum time in the sun),
• anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs,
• vitamins to restore metabolism,
• and drugs to increase the acidity of urine, which will help prevent (or at least reduce the likelihood) of calcium stones in the kidney.

Preventive Measures: How to Avoid Vitamin D Overdose

In order not to create problems with your own hands or your child, it is important to understand that calciferol preparations (vitamins D) are not prescribed:

• without examination and doctor's recommendations,
• without signs of rickets,
• in warm and sunny seasons.

If it seems to you that "the body needs to be supported", it is better to adjust your diet by adding foods that contain a lot of vitamin D, and increase the duration of walking in the sun, while always leaving open skin areas, because vitamin is produced in the body only with direct contact with sunlight.

So, if you take D vitamins responsibly, they will save you from big health problems and prevent rickets from developing in babies. If you exceed the dosage and take drugs inadvertently, you can seriously harm your health, because the same substance is capable of both healing and destroying the body.

Take care of yourself and your children and be careful when taking vitamins - they are not harmless!

medtox.net

General characteristics of vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble compound - a cyclic unsaturated high molecular weight alcohol ergosterol, which has antirachitic activity. Vitamin D is often referred to simply as an antirachitic factor, since this compound is essential for proper bone growth and formation.

Since vitamin D dissolves in fats, it is able to accumulate in the human body in the cells of various organs. The largest amount of vitamin D accumulates in the subcutaneous fatty tissue and liver. Due to the ability to accumulate in the human body, there is always a certain depot of vitamin D, from which this compound is consumed in case of insufficient intake with food. That is, against the background of insufficient intake of food, vitamin D deficiency develops quite after a long period of time, until its reserves in the depot are used up.

The ability to dissolve in fats determines the possibility of excessive accumulation of vitamin A when it enters the human body in large quantities. With the accumulation of a high concentration of vitamin D in the blood and tissues of the body, hypervitaminosis develops, which, like hypovitaminosis, leads to impaired functioning of various organs and tissues.

This means that vitamin D must enter the body in strictly defined, optimal doses, since both its excess and deficiency are harmful. Vitamin D should not be taken in large quantities, as this will lead to hypervitaminosis. And also you can not use a small amount of vitamin D, as this will provoke its deficiency or hypovitaminosis.

However, even if a person's diet contains an insufficient amount of vitamin D, its deficiency and hypovitaminosis develop very rarely if a person spends at least 1 - 2 hours a day in the sun. This is due to the fact that under the influence of solar radiation, endogenous synthesis of vitamin D can be produced in the skin, which fully meets the body's needs for this substance. And since living in a temperate climate allows a person to be regularly exposed to the sun's rays throughout the year, vitamin D deficiency is extremely rare in the population. Most often, vitamin D deficiency develops in residents of the Far North, where the sun's rays are absent for several months, since the polar night begins. Due to insufficient intake of vitamin D and lack of sunlight, people can suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Also, small children who were born in winter and rarely go outside without exposure to sunlight can suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Thus, vitamin D can enter the human body through food or be formed in the skin when exposed to sunlight. After being formed in the skin or entering the intestines with food, vitamin D is absorbed into the bloodstream and enters the kidneys, where it combines with calcium ions to form an active substance called calcitriol. It is in the form of calcitriol that vitamin D exerts its biological effects on the human body. Therefore, calcitriol is called the active form of vitamin D. And therefore, calcium is required for the normal functioning of vitamin D.

For the absorption of vitamin D into the bloodstream from the intestines, a sufficient amount of fat and bile is required. Therefore, for a better assimilation of vitamin D, it should be consumed together with vegetable fats. With a sufficient amount of fats and bile, vitamin D is absorbed by 90%, and with their lack only by 60%. The assimilation of synthetic vitamins D does not depend on the amount of fats and bile; therefore, pharmacological preparations can be more effective than natural compounds.

Forms of vitamin D (what vitamin D options are there)?

Vitamin D is the general group name for five substances with the activity and properties of sterols. These substances are called vitamers of vitamin D. That is, each vitamer is, in fact, a kind of vitamin D. So, at present, the following vitamers are referred to as vitamin D:
1. Vitamin D 2 - ergocalciferol;
2. Vitamin D 3 - cholecalciferol;
3. Vitamin D 4 - dehydrocholesterol;
4. Vitamin D 5 - sitocalciferol;
5. Vitamin D 6 - stigmacalciferol.

Vitamin D 1 is not found in nature and can only be obtained by chemical synthesis. Ergocalciferol vitamin is a synthetic vitamin D 2 formed by the action of ultraviolet radiation on certain types of fungi. Vitamin D 2 is used as an additive in various ready-to-eat foods such as bread, infant formula, etc. Ergocalciferol enriches the food product, providing the human body with a normal daily dosage of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is obtained directly from ergosterol.

Cholecalciferol is a natural vitamin D 3, which is found in various animal products. This means that cholecalciferol enters the human body through the consumption of animal products.

Dehydrocholesterol Is vitamin D 4, which is a precursor or provitamin for D 3 (cholecalciferol). Normally, human skin contains dehydrocholesterol, from which vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesized under the influence of sunlight.

Sitocalciferol is vitamin D 5, which is found in wheat grains. Stigmacalciferol Is vitamin D 6, which is also found in some plants.

The most biologically active two forms of vitamin D are D 2 and D 3, which a person can receive with food or synthesize from the skin using ultraviolet radiation. The remaining forms of vitamin D (D 4, D 5 and D 6) have a relatively low biological activity.

All forms of vitamin D are collectively referred to as calciferol. In normal practice, vitamin D means two forms - D 2 and D 3, since they are the most biologically active and providing effects at the level of the human body. Moreover, since the functions of all forms of vitamin D are the same, and they differ only in the method of production and in activity, they are usually not separated in medical and popular scientific articles. Therefore, by saying "vitamin D", the doctor means all its forms. If it is required to say that we are talking about one or another form of vitamin D, then this is indicated separately.

Vitamin D in the body - biological functions

Vitamin D ensures correct and age-appropriate bone growth, which is important for the formation of the musculoskeletal system and the prevention of rickets in children and adults. In addition, calciferol accelerates the healing process of bone tissue in various injuries, for example, fractures, cracks, etc. By participating in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, vitamin D prevents osteoporosis, maintaining a normal level of calcification, and, consequently, bone strength. This is very important for adults who often suffer from osteoporosis. Thus, calciferol is an essential vitamin that maintains normal bone tissue.

Being in the systemic circulation, vitamin D maintains the concentration of calcium and phosphorus within normal limits. In addition, calciferol increases the absorption of calcium compounds in the intestine, thereby preventing its deficiency and leaching from the bones. That is, with a deficiency of vitamin D, the concentration of calcium in the blood decreases and its leaching from the bones, which leads to osteoporosis and other disorders.

Vitamin D provides regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism through the following mechanisms and effects:

• Increasing the permeability of the intestinal cell membrane (enterocytes) for calcium;
• Launching the process of synthesizing a special protein that transfers calcium in the systemic circulation from one organs and tissues to others;
• Strengthens the absorption of phosphorus in the intestine;
• Stimulates bone calcification;
• Reduces the synthesis of type I collagen, thereby preventing calcification and hardening of excess bone formation. This avoids the development of numerous bone growths;
• Enhances the reabsorption of calcium in the kidney tubules from primary urine.

It is known that under conditions of severe vitamin D deficiency, the human body loses its ability to absorb calcium, both from food products and from specialized pharmacological preparations. This leads to tooth decay, tooth decay, arrhythmias and numerous other calcium-related problems.

However, vitamin D not only protects bones and regulates blood calcium and phosphorus, although these functions are undoubtedly very important. Vitamin D reduces the risk of developing skin and heart diseases, as well as malignant tumors. Thus, it prevents the active growth of cancer cells, due to which vitamin D is successfully used in the complex treatment and prevention of breast, ovarian, prostate, brain and leukemia cancer. In addition, a constant normal intake of vitamin D from food reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, arthritis and diabetes.

Also, vitamin D prevents muscle weakness, improves immunity, ensures normal blood clotting and optimal functioning of the thyroid gland. According to experimental studies, calciferol helps to restore nerve cells and nerve fibers, thereby reducing the rate of progression of multiple sclerosis. In addition, vitamin D is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate.

With external use of vitamin D preparations, the scaly skin of people suffering from psoriasis decreases.

The norm of vitamin D for consumption and content in the body

• Adult women and men over 15 years old - 2.5 - 5.0 μg (100 - 200 IU);
• Pregnant women - 10 mcg (400 IU)
• Nursing mothers - 10 mcg (400 IU);
• Seniors over 60 years old - 10 - 15 mcg (400 - 600 IU);
• Babies up to one year old - 7.5 - 10.0 mcg (300 - 400 IU);
• Children 1 - 5 years old - 10 mcg (400 IU);
• Children 5 - 13 years old - 2.5 mcg (100 IU).

Currently, micrograms (μg) or international units (IU) are used to denote vitamin D content in food. In this case, one international unit corresponds to 0.025 μg. Accordingly, 1 μg of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU. These ratios can be used to convert units of measurement to each other.

The list shows the optimal dosages of daily vitamin D intake, which replenish its reserves and are not able to provoke hypervitaminosis. Safe from the point of view of the development of hypervitaminosis is the use of no more than 15 μg of vitamin D per day. This means that the maximum allowable dosage of vitamin D, which will not lead to hypervitaminosis, is 15 mcg per day.

It is necessary to increase the dose of more than the specified optimal values \u200b\u200bfor people who have an increased need for vitamin D, such as:

• Accommodation in northern latitudes with short daylight hours or polar nights;
• Living in regions with a highly polluted atmosphere;
• Night shift work;
• Bedridden patients who are not on the street;
• People with chronic diseases of the intestines, liver, gallbladder and kidneys;
• Pregnant and lactating mothers.

In the blood, the normal content of vitamin D 2 is 10 - 40 μg / l and D 3 - also 10 - 40 μg / l.

Vitamin D deficiency and excess symptoms

Due to the possibility of accumulation of vitamin D in the human body, both its shortage and excess may appear. A lack of vitamin D is called hypovitaminosis or deficiency, and an excess is called hypervitaminosis or overdose. Both hypovitaminosis and hypervitaminosis D cause disruption of the functioning of various tissue organs, provoking a number of diseases. Therefore, vitamin D should not be consumed in large quantities so as not to provoke an overdose.

Lack of vitamin D

Lack of vitamin D leads to a decrease in the absorption of calcium from food, as a result of which it is washed out of the bones and stimulates the production of parathyroid hormone by the parathyroid glands. Against this background, hyperparathyroidism is formed, in which the leaching of calcium from the bones increases. Bones lose strength, bend, not withstanding the load, and various disorders of the normal structure of the skeleton are formed in a person, which are manifestations of rickets. That is, a lack of vitamin D is manifested by rickets.

Symptoms of a lack of vitamin D (rickets) in children:

• Delayed teething;
• Delayed closing of fontanelles;
• Softening of the bones of the skull, against the background of which the occipital lobes flatten with the simultaneous formation of bone growths in the region of the frontal and parietal tubercles. As a result of such processes, a person's head becomes square, which persists for life and is a sign of rickets transferred in childhood;
• Deformation of the bones of the face, as a result of which a saddle nose and a high Gothic sky can form;
• Curvature of the legs like the letter "O" (popularly this condition is called "legs as a wheel");
• Deformation of the pelvic bones;
• Thickening of the ends of the tubular bones, as a result of which the knee, elbow, shoulder and ankle and finger joints become large and bulging. Such protruding joints are called rickety bracelets;
• Thickening of the ends of the ribs, which leads to the formation of bulging large joints at the junction of the rib bones with the sternum and spine. These protruding joints of the ribs with the sternum and the spine are called rickety rosary;
• Chest deformity (chicken breast);
• Sleep disturbance;
• Irritability;
• Sweating.

After the vitamin D deficiency is eliminated, sleep disturbances, irritability and sweating disappear, bone strength is restored, and the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood gradually returns to normal. However, bone deformities (for example, saddle nose, chicken breast, curvature of the legs, square shape of the skull, etc.), which have already formed during the period of vitamin D deficiency, will not be corrected when the vitamin D deficiency is eliminated, but will remain for life and will be a sign rickets suffered in childhood.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency (rickets) in adults are:

• The development of osteomalacia, that is, liquefaction of the bone, from which calcium salts are washed out, giving strength;
• Osteoporosis;
• Loss of appetite;
• Insomnia;
• A burning sensation in the mouth and throat;
• Weight loss;
• Deterioration of vision.

All disorders that have arisen in adults against the background of vitamin D deficiency completely disappear after the normalization of the intake of calciferol in the body.

Vitamin D overdose

An overdose of vitamin D is a very dangerous condition, since during this there is an intensive absorption of calcium from food, which is sent to all organs and tissues, being deposited in them in the form of solid salts. The deposition of salts causes calcification of organs and tissues that cease to function normally. In addition, an excess of calcium in the blood provokes severe disorders of the heart and nervous system, manifested by micronecrosis and arrhythmias. The clinical symptoms of a vitamin D overdose depend on its degree. Currently, there are three degrees of vitamin D overdose, characterized by the following clinical manifestations:

I degree of hypervitaminosis D - mild poisoning without toxicosis:

• Anorexia;
• Sweating;
• Irritability;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Delay in weight gain;
• Thirst (polydipsia);
• A large amount of urine more than 2.5 liters per day (polyuria);
• Constipation;
• Joint and muscle pain.

II degree of hypervitaminosis D - medium poisoning with moderate toxicosis:

• Anorexia;
• Recurrent vomiting;
• Decrease in body weight;
• Tachycardia (palpitations);
• Deaf heart sounds;
• Systolic murmur;
• Decreased blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.

III degree of hypervitaminosis D - severe poisoning with severe toxicosis:

• Persistent vomiting;
• Severe weight loss;
• Dehydration;
• Low muscle mass (wasting);
• Lethargy;
• Low mobility (physical inactivity);
• Drowsiness;
• Periods of pronounced anxiety;
• Recurrent convulsions
• High blood pressure;
• Deaf heart sounds;
• Systolic murmur;
• Expansion of the heart;
• Arrhythmia attacks;
• ECG abnormalities (widening of the QRS complex and shortening of the ST interval);
• Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
• Cold hands and feet;
• Dyspnea;
• Vascular pulsation in the neck and in the stomach;
• Increased levels of calcium, phosphates, citrates, cholesterol and total protein in the blood (hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperproteinemia);
• Decreased blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia);
• Decreased blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity;
• Complications in the form of bacterial infections (for example, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, myocarditis, pancreatitis);
• Depression of the central nervous system up to coma.

Vitamin D overdose treatment

When signs of an overdose of vitamin D appear, you should immediately begin measures to accelerate the removal of the substance from the body. The process of eliminating excess vitamin D is considered a treatment for hypervitaminosis D, which consists in the following:
1. In case of mild poisoning, give a person inside of vaseline oil, which will reduce the absorption of vitamin D residues present in the intestines. For the speedy restoration of the normal structure of cells and reducing the penetration of calcium into tissues, a person is given vitamin E and A. For the purpose of accelerating the elimination of excess calcium, Furosemide is used, and Asparkam or Panangin is used to compensate for the loss of potassium and magnesium;
2. With an average degree of poisoning, a person is given vaseline oil, vitamins E and A, Furosemide, Asparkam or Panangin. Verapamil is added to these drugs (eliminates excess calcium deposition in tissues), Etidronate (reduces calcium absorption from the intestines), Phenobarbital (accelerates the conversion of vitamin D into inactive forms);
3. In case of a severe overdose of vitamin D, all drugs used to treat moderate poisoning are administered intravenously. In addition to these drugs, glucocorticoids, saline, Calcitrin and Trisamine are administered if necessary.

In case of violations of the heart (arrhythmia, shortness of breath, palpitations, etc.) or the central nervous system (lethargy, coma, convulsions, etc.) against the background of an overdose of vitamin D, it is necessary to inject preparations of phosphate salts, for example, In-phos, Hyper-phos-K, etc. ...

Overdose and vitamin D deficiency (rickets) in children: causes, symptoms, treatment, answers to questions - video

Vitamin D - indications for use

Vitamin D is indicated for treatment or prophylaxis. Prophylactic intake of vitamin D is to prevent rickets in children and vitamin deficiency in adults. Therapeutic intake of vitamin D is carried out as part of the complex therapy of various diseases, accompanied by a violation of the structure of bones and a low level of calcium in the blood. The prophylactic and therapeutic intake of vitamin D differs only in dosages, otherwise it is carried out according to the same rules. So, for prophylaxis, calciferol preparations should be taken at 400 - 500 IU (10 - 12 μg) per day, and for treatment, 5000 - 10000 IU (120 - 250 μg) per day.

Vitamin D is indicated for use in the following conditions and diseases:

• Hypovitaminosis D (rickets) in children and adults;
• Broken bones;
• Slow bone healing;
• Osteoporosis;
• Low levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood;
• Osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone marrow);
• Osteomalacia (softening of the bones);
• Hypoparathyroidism or hyperparathyroidism (insufficient or excessive amounts of parathyroid hormones);
• Systemic lupus erythematosus;
• Chronic atrophic gastritis;
• Chronic enteritis of any etiology, including celiac enteropathy, Whipple's disease, Crohn's disease, radiation enteritis;
• Chronic pancreatitis;
• Tuberculosis;
• Arthritis;
• Hemorrhagic diathesis;
• Hay fever;
• Psoriasis;
• Muscular tetany;
• Menopause syndrome in women.

Vitamin D for a newborn - should you give?

Currently, the question of whether to give vitamin D to a newborn baby is causing widespread debate in society. Someone thinks that this is necessary, referring to the long experience of mothers, grandmothers and "experienced" pediatricians who have been working for more than one year. And someone says that this is not necessary, since the child receives all the necessary vitamins from milk. In fact, these are two radical, completely opposite positions, neither of which is correct. Consider in what cases a child needs to be given vitamin D to prevent rickets.

If the child is at least 0.5 - 1 hour a day on the street and is exposed to direct sunlight, while being completely breastfed, and the mother is eating well, then there is no need to give vitamin D. In this case, the child will receive part of the vitamin D from the mother's milk, and the missing amount is synthesized in his skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. It should be remembered that a mother's good nutrition is understood as a diet in which she necessarily consumes vegetables and fruits every day, and meat, fish, eggs and dairy products at least one day a week. And under the walk of a child is meant his stay on the street, under the sun, and not a few hours spent in a closed carriage, walled up from the outside world.

If the child is on mixed feeding, regularly goes outside, and the mother eats well, then he also does not need to give vitamin D, since modern baby food contains all the necessary vitamins and trace elements in the right amount.

If a child is completely artificially fed using modern formulas, then he does not need to give vitamin D, under any circumstances, even if he practically does not walk. This is due to the fact that modern mixtures contain all the vitamins and microelements necessary for the growth and development of a child in sufficient quantities.

If the child is breastfed or mixed-feeding, rarely goes outside without being exposed to sunlight, and the mother is malnourished, then vitamin D should be given. You also need to give vitamin D if the child is artificially fed not with modern formulas, but, for example, cow, goat or donor milk, etc.

Thus, vitamin D should be given to newborns only in the following cases:
1. The nursing mother is not eating well.
2. Artificial feeding is carried out not with modern mixtures, but with donor milk of various origins.
3. The child is on the street for less than half an hour a day.

In principle, in modern conditions of a temperate climate, the need for additional intake of vitamin D by newborns under one year old is very rare, since the nutrition of nursing mothers and the availability of modern infant formula enriched with various nutrients have completely eliminated the problem of calciferol deficiency. It should be remembered that the mandatory intake of vitamin D by newborns for the prevention of rickets was introduced more than 40 years ago, when nursing mothers did not always eat well, worked overtime in difficult conditions of factory workshops, and there were simply no infant formula, and the "artificial" were fed with donor milk. which was necessarily boiled, which means that the vitamins in it were destroyed. Therefore, under the conditions then existing, vitamin D was a necessity for almost all newborns. Today conditions have changed and all babies do not need the vitamin. Therefore, it should only be taken when necessary.

Vitamin D for children

Vitamin D should be given to children if they are not in the sun for at least one hour a day, do not eat meat at least twice a week and do not eat animal products (butter, sour cream, milk, cheese, etc.) daily. You can also give vitamin D if it is noticed that the child has an O- or X-shaped curvature of the legs and a saddle nose is forming. In all other cases, the child does not need vitamin D intake, with the exception of serious diseases, when it is prescribed by a doctor as part of complex therapy.

Vitamin D in summer

In the summer, if a person is in the sun and consumes animal products at least once a week, then you do not need to take vitamin D, regardless of age. At the same time, sun exposure means being outdoors in a small amount of clothing (open T-shirts, short shorts, skirts, dresses, swimwear, etc.) in direct sunlight. Such a stay outside for half an hour in the summer is quite enough for the endogenous production of the required amount of vitamin D in the skin to occur. Therefore, if a person is on the street for at least half an hour a day in the summer, then he does not need to take vitamin D.

If a person is not on the street in summer, for some reason is constantly indoors, or does not undress, leaving most of the skin closed, then he needs to take vitamin D.

Vitamin D in foods - where is it found?

Vitamin D is found in the following foods:

• Liver of marine fish;
• Fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna, perch, etc.;
• Beef, pork liver;
• Fatty meats such as pork, duck, etc.;
• Fish roe;
• Eggs;
• Milk cream;
• Sour cream;
• Vegetable oil;
• Seaweed;
• Chanterelle mushrooms;
• Yeast.

Vitamin D preparations

In pharmacological preparations of vitamin D, the following forms are used:

• Ergocalciferol - natural vitamin D 2;
• Cholecalciferol - natural vitamin D 3;
• Calcitriol - the active form of vitamin D 3, obtained from natural products;
• Calcipotriol (Psorkutan) - a synthetic analogue of calcitriol;
• Alfacalcidol (alpha D 3) - a synthetic analogue of vitamin D 2 (ergocalciferol);
• Natural fish oil is a source of various forms of vitamin D.

All of these forms are highly active and can be used without any restrictions.

Pharmacological preparations can be single-component, that is, containing only forms of vitamin D, or multicomponent, which include vitamin D and various minerals, most often calcium. Both types of drugs can be used to eliminate vitamin D deficiency.However, multicomponent drugs are the best option, since they simultaneously eliminate the deficiency of vitamin D and some other elements.

All forms of vitamin D

Currently, the following preparations containing vitamin D are available on the pharmaceutical market:

• Aquadetrim vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol);
• Alphabet "Our baby" (vitamins A, D, E, C, PP, B 1, B 2, B 12);
• Alphabet "Kindergarten" (vitamins A, E, D, C, B 1);
• Alfadol (alfacalcidol);
• Alphadol-Ca (calcium carbonate, alfacalcidol);
• Alpha-D 3-Teva (alfacalcidol);
• Van Alpha (alfacalcidol);
• Vigantol (cholecalciferol);
• Videhol (various forms and derivatives of vitamin D);
• Vita bears (vitamins A, E, D, C, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Vitrum (vitamins A, E, D, C, K, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Vitrum Calcium + Vitamin D 3 (calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol);
• Vittri (vitamins E, D 3, A);
• Calcemin Advance (calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, cholecalciferol, oxide, magnesium, zinc oxide, copper oxide, manganese sulfate, borate);
• Calcium D 3 Nycomed and Calcium D 3 Nycomed forte (calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol);
• Complivit Calcium D 3 (calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol);
• Multi-Tabs (vitamins A, E, D, C, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Natekal D 3 (calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol);
• Oxydevit (alfacalcidol);
• Osteotriol (calcitriol);
• Pikovit (vitamins A, PP, D, C, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Multivit (vitamins A, E, D, C, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Rocaltrol (calcitriol);
• Sana-Sol (vitamins A, E, D, C, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Centrum (vitamins A, E, D, C, K, B 1, B 2, B 6, B 12);
• Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol);
• Etalfa (alfacalcidol).

Vitamin D oil solution

Vitamin D oil solution can be taken orally or injected intramuscularly and intravenously as needed. In the form of oil solutions of vitamin D, the following preparations exist:

• Vigantol;
• Vitamin D 3 oral solution in oil;
• Videhol;
• Oxydevit;
• Ergocalciferol;
• Etalfa.

Calcium with vitamin D

Calcium with vitamin D is a vitamin and mineral complex often used for the prevention of various diseases associated with bone destruction, for example, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, bone tuberculosis, etc. Currently, there are the following preparations containing calcium with vitamin D at the same time:

• Alphadol-Sa;
• Vitrum Calcium + Vitamin D 3;
• Calcemin Advance;
• Calcium D 3 Nycomed and Calcium D 3 Nycomed forte;
• Complivit Calcium D 3;
• Natekal D 3.

Vitamin D ointment or cream

A vitamin D ointment or cream is used to treat psoriasis. The following ointments and creams containing vitamin D are currently available:

• Glenriaz (calcipotriol);
• Daivobet (calcipotriol);
• Daivonex (calcipotriol);
• Xamiol (calcitriol);
• Curatoderm (tacalcitol);
• Psorkutan (calcipotriol);
• Silkis (calcitriol).

Vitamin D - which is better

With regard to any group of drugs, the term "best" is incorrect and incorrect in its essence, since in medical practice there is the concept of "optimal". This means that for each specific case, the best will be a strictly defined drug, which doctors call optimal. This fully applies to vitamin D preparations.

That is, complex vitamin and mineral complexes containing vitamins D are optimal for the prevention of osteoporosis, osteomalacia and other bone diseases. Vitamin D oil solutions are well suited for the prevention and treatment of rickets in children and adults, since they can be administered not only orally, but also intravenously or intramuscularly. Topical creams and ointments with vitamin D are optimal drugs for the treatment of psoriasis.

Thus, if a person just wants to drink a course of vitamin D for prevention, then complex vitamin and mineral complexes, for example, Vittri, Alphadol-Ca, etc. will be optimal for him. If it is necessary to prevent rickets in a child, then oily solutions of vitamin D are best suited for this purpose. To eliminate vitamin deficiency and treat various diseases, oily solutions of vitamin D are also optimal.

Vitamin D instructions for use - how to give drugs

Vitamin D tablets, drops and pills must be taken during or immediately after a meal. The butter solution can be poured onto a small piece of brown bread and eaten.

For the prevention of rickets, vitamin D is taken in the following dosages, depending on age:

• Full-term newborns from 0 to 3 years old - take 500 - 1000 IU (12 - 25 mcg) per day;
• Premature newborns from 0 to 3 years old - take 1000 - 1500 IU (25 - 37 mcg) per day;
• Pregnant women - take 500 IU (12 mcg) per day during the entire period of gestation;
• Nursing mothers - take 500 - 1000 IU (12 - 25 mcg) per day;
• Women in menopause - take 500 - 1000 IU (12 - 25 mcg) per day;
• Men of reproductive age take vitamin D 500 - 1000 IU (12 - 25 mcg) per day to improve sperm quality.

The prophylactic use of vitamin D can be continued for several years, alternating 3 - 4 week courses of intake with 1 - 2 month intervals between them.

For the treatment of rickets and other diseases of the skeletal system, it is necessary to take vitamin D, 2000 - 5000 IU (50 - 125 mcg) for 4 - 6 weeks. Then you need to take a week break, after which you will repeat the course of taking vitamin D.

Analysis for vitamin D

Currently, there is a laboratory test for the concentration of two forms of vitamin D in the blood - D 2 (ergocalciferol) and D 3 (cholecalciferol). This analysis allows you to accurately determine the presence of vitamin deficiency or hypervitaminosis, and, in accordance with its results, make the necessary decision to cancel or, conversely, take vitamin D preparations. The concentration of these two forms is determined in venous blood donated in the morning on an empty stomach. The normal concentration of both D 2 and D 3 is 10-40 μg / l.

We are used to prioritizing getting enough vitamin D given that a lack of it can seriously weaken the immune system and cause other diseases. However, could there be an overdose of vitamin D? Let's turn to scientific facts.

Overall, vitamin D is considered a very safe and healthy supplement. Especially because a large number of people are deficient in this important vitamin. However, scientific evidence suggests that "vitamin D toxicity" can occur with high doses ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 IU per day for months or longer.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D overdose? The data show that signs of vitamin D overuse can include frequent illness, fatigue and weakness, digestive problems, and muscle and bone pain.

How much vitamin D to take

A person needs enough vitamin D for the body to function properly. Because vitamin D has many functions, including helping to absorb and regulate minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is responsible for bone health, immunity, growth and development in infants and children, cell renewal, cognitive health, and nerve function.

In an ideal world, we would all get enough vitamin D from the single best natural source: sun exposure. However, we know that most people today do not spend enough time in the sun, which is why vitamin D has become one of the most widely used supplements in the world.

While there is still no agreed daily requirement for vitamin D, health experts agree that vitamin D intake (especially vitamin D3) can benefit many people, including adults, children, and infants. So, ? The USDA's standard recommendation for vitamin D intake to prevent deficiency is 600 to 800 IU per day for adults and 400 IU for children. However, newer studies are revising these recommendations and say that the number should be higher - from 2000 to 5000 IU per day.

The amount of vitamin D you need on a daily basis depends on a number of factors, such as body weight, age, gender, and medical history. As a general guideline, aim for the following amounts of vitamin D3 in supplement form:

• Children under 5 years of age: at least 500 IU per day
• Children aged 5-10: 2500 IU per day
• Adults / pregnant women / lactating women: about 4000-5000 IU per day

Is it safe to take 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily? If not, how much vitamin D3 is safe? There is a small risk associated with taking about 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day. But some people may need even higher dosages for severe deficiency.

What is considered an adequate amount of vitamin D? In order to find out your vitamin D level, you need to take a blood test. Most experts believe that vitamin D levels should be above 30 nanograms (ng) per milliliter (ml) of blood. A value below this is considered a deficit. Ideally, you should aim for 70-100 ng / ml for both adults and children. On the other hand, vitamin D toxicity (too much vitamin D in the blood) is considered to be above 200-240 ng / ml blood.

Related articles:

Could there be an overdose of vitamin D if you know you are already deficient? If your blood test shows that you have a low vitamin D content, you can either take smaller doses over a long period of time to raise your level, such as 5000 IU per day, or take a high dose for several weeks. If you are taking a very high dose, such as more than 40,000 IU, it is possible that side effects may occur.

Signs and symptoms of vitamin D overdose in adults

You are more likely to experience vitamin D overdose symptoms when taking high-dose supplements for an extended period of time. Some signs that you may be taking too much vitamin D include:

• Frequent illnesses, ARVI, colds
• Abdominal pain and digestive problems such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
• Increased thirst and dry mouth
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Muscle weakness or pain
• Bone pain
• Fatigue / lethargy
• Brain fog, feeling of embarrassment and dizziness
• Arrhythmia
• Chest pain
• Changes in blood pressure
• Headaches

Could there be a worrying vitamin D overdose? Because vitamin D toxicity can cause side effects such as heart palpitations, confusion, anxiety, and chest pain, it can potentially trigger feelings of anxiety.

Dangers of Vitamin D Overdose

Vitamin D toxicity is also called vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis D. The reason too much vitamin D can cause problems is because vitamin D (along with vitamins A, E, and K) is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that it accumulates in body fat and can remain in your body for a long time.

When you take high doses of vitamin D, your liver makes a chemical called 25 (OH) D, which causes calcium to build up in your blood (called hypercalcemia). In rare cases, it can damage the kidneys and cause calcium deposits in the kidneys (called nephrocalcinosis). It is a serious condition that causes symptoms such as nausea, dehydration, fever, and pain. Therefore, people with kidney disease should not take high doses of vitamin D (over 5000 IU) on a daily basis.

25 (OH) D can be measured with a blood test. Blood levels of 25 (OH) D above 150 ng / ml are considered potentially toxic.

While this is rare, several other conditions besides hypercalcemia can occur with vitamin D overdose. These are hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, and several other rare diseases.

How to prevent / treat vitamin D overdose

The best way to avoid vitamin D toxicity is to avoid taking very high doses of vitamin D supplements, such as 10,000 IU per day, for more than a month.

Vitamin D toxicity most commonly occurs when high doses of the supplement are taken for months or longer, such as 40,000 IU or more. It can also happen when a very high dose is taken only once, for example more than 300,000 IU in 24 hours.

These amounts refer to “average weight adults” who are around 60-80 kg, but do not apply to children or those weighing much less. For children who weigh between 8 and 25 kg, more than 50,000 IU / day or 2,000-6,000 IU / day for more than three months may be too large and potentially a vitamin D overdose.

If your blood levels of vitamin D are found to be too high, how do you get rid of the excess?

If you need to get vitamin D out of your system, your doctor may recommend treatment for vitamin D toxicity, including stopping your vitamin D intake, limiting dietary calcium intake, and taking intravenous fluids and / or medications such as corticosteroids or bisphosphonates to control symptoms.

Ideally, vitamin D levels should be kept high without supplementation, by getting enough sunlight, or taking supplements at a dose that is considered safe (1,500 to 5,000 IU for most adults). Spending 15–20 minutes in the sun with exposed skin on most days without sunscreen is your surest way to get enough vitamin D. Eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish and other seafood, eggs, and raw Milk can also help improve your vitamin D levels. There can be no overdose of vitamin D from foods and the sun because your body regulates how much vitamin D is made / absorbed from these sources.

Who Should Avoid Vitamin D

Because vitamin D can interact with some medications, vitamin D supplements should not be taken by those taking these prescription drugs:

• Steroids
• Epilepsy medications such as phenobarbital and phenytoin
• Slimming drugs (for example, Orlistat)
• Cholestyramine

People who have any of the health conditions listed below should not take vitamin D without medical supervision:

• Hypercalcemia
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Primary hyperthyroidism
• Sarcoidosis
• Granulomatous tuberculosis
• Metastatic bone disease
• Williams Syndrome

Vitamin D Precautions

If you notice signs of vitamin D side effects and are wondering if there might be an overdose of vitamin D. This could be from taking more than 300,000 IU in the past 24 hours or more than 10,000 IU per day for the past several months. Stop taking vitamin D right away and see your doctor right away for a blood test. Your doctor will test you for hypercalcemia and discuss any symptoms you experience.

While consuming too much vitamin D can be dangerous in some cases, keep in mind that vitamin D deficiency is also dangerous. You need to know in the body. Your goal should be to find balance and get the amount of vitamin D your body needs without overdosing.

Content of the article: classList.toggle () "\u003e expand

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is a fat-soluble biologically active substance that enhances calcium absorption and phosphorus reabsorption in the body. Its significant overdose can cause a number of negative symptoms and even complications.

What are the basic guidelines for vitamin D3 intake? What help can be given to a person with an overdose of cholecalciferol? How serious are the long-term effects of an excess of a substance in the body? You will read about this and much more in our article.

The effect of cholecalciferol on the body of an adult and a child

Cholecalciferol is one of the most important vitamins for the human body - the substance is partially synthesized in the skin, under the influence of ultraviolet rays entering the epithelium. In addition, D3 is present in low concentrations in certain foods.

As modern statistics show, from a lack of this substance (especially in countries with a harsh climate and a small number of sunny, not cloudy days), from 7 to 10 percent of the entire population of the planet suffers.

Cholecalciferol is the main regulator of calcium-phosphorus metabolism, which enhances calcium absorption in the intestine and phosphorus reabsorption in the main renal tubules.

In addition, vitamin D3 improves the permeability of the membranes of the intestinal mucosa for the cations of these components, catalyzes ossification, activates the secondary absorption of phosphates and the process of their retention by bone structures.

The main indications according to which a specialized doctor-specialist can prescribe the intake of cholecalciferol in tablet form are osteoporosis, rickets, osteomalacia, various metabolic osteopathies, spasmophilia, a significant loss of calcium in dental elements and bones.

Symptoms of a vitamin D3 overdose

The symptomatology of an overdose of vitamin D3 develops gradually, most often over several weeks, subject to a constant surplus of the substance in the body. An exception is the over-normalized use of extremely high doses of cholecalciferol - from 1 million IU and more (in the latter case, the classic manifestations of intoxication can form already in the first hours).

Clinical nonspecific symptoms may include:

• Complex dyspeptic disorders - from stool disturbances, nausea and vomiting to loss of appetite, pain in the epigastric region, flatulence;
• Sharp fluctuations in body weight, most often downward;
• Disorders of the nephrological spectrum - frequent urination, changes in the color and consistency of urine, constant pain syndrome in the localization of the lower back, swelling of the face, limbs;
• Neurological manifestations - disorders of sleep and wakefulness, irritability, apathy, lethargy, short-term loss of consciousness;

• Convulsions - mainly clonic-tonic and muscular rigidity;
• Dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by intense thirst;
• - decrease in heart rate, increased blood pressure, rhythmic disturbances, tachycardia.

First aid for poisoning and recovery

First aid to a victim of an overdose of vitamin D3 includes the following actions:

With obvious signs of systemic intoxication after an overdose of D3, you must call an ambulance, which will send the victim to the hospital, where the following methods of dealing with pathology can be applied to him:

• Forced diuresis;
• Oxygen therapy;
• Hemodialysis;
• Parenteral administration of saline, glucose, sodium bicarbonate.
• Classical symptomatic conservative therapy for vital signs - most often it is the appointment of corticosteroids, neuroprotectors, hepatoprotectors, adrenergic blockers, glycosides, nitrofurans and other medications;
• Rehabilitation therapy - diet, physiotherapy, bed rest.

Similar articles

Features of an overdose of vitamin D3 in children and infants

As modern medical statistics show, children and especially babies most often suffer from an overdose of vitamin D3. The reason for this relative “selectivity” lies in the low professionalism of medical personnel and poor parental awareness. The most important factors in this context:

• Prevention of rickets... The main preventive procedure for the treatment of childhood rickets is the intake of vitamin D - in fish oil or purified solutions. This special property of the substance has been known since the 30s of the last century to the present day, the technique is used in all children's medical institutions. An unreasonably high prescribed dosage can lead to an overabundance of the biological active component in the body and cause the classic symptoms of "delayed" chronic overdose of vitamin D3;
• Introduction of biological additives during the period of active growth of the body... For children over 3 years old, cholecalciferol is often prescribed in combination with calcium, provided that the physical growth of the skeleton is insufficient to induce this process. The recommended dosage of such complexes is often violated by parents who want to give the child “more vitamins”, as a result of which the prerequisites for an overdose are formed.

Symptoms of an overdose of vitamin D3 in children and infants are generally almost identical to those in adults, but the course is sharper and more severe, since the child's body does not actively resist intoxication.

The procedure for providing first pre-medical and subsequent medication depends on the severity of the condition, the presence of complications and other factors, is carried out according to standard protocols.

Consequences and complications

A severe overdose of vitamin D3 in a child and an adult can provoke the development of serious complications, especially if the victim was not provided with adequate qualified medical care. Potential consequences may include:

• Renal and hepatic failure... A complex violation of the functional work of the kidneys and liver leads to an imbalance of all metabolic processes in the body. Acute conditions in the absence of proper intensive care significantly increase the risks of death;
• Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria... These symptoms, characterized by high levels of calcium in the blood and urine, are caused by impaired delivery and absorption in tissues, which leads to a wide range of additional pathologies;
• Secondary bacterial infections... Formed due to a decrease in general immunity against the background of systemic intoxication of the body;
• Cardiovascular pathology... Most often, there are toxic myocardial lesions, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification;
• Dysfunction of the glands... In severe forms of cholecalciferol overdose, the thyroid and parathyroid glands may be disrupted.

Most often, in infants, an overdose of vitamins is observed against the background of their excessive, uncontrolled use. Parents try to give the baby everything he needs. In some matters, this concern is considered overwhelming. The component is used in the body to dissolve fats. An overdose of vitamin D in infants is dangerous by the accumulation of substances in the tissues.

What is vitamin D

Cholecalciferol is actively produced by skin cells when exposed to direct sunlight. That is why his active education falls on the summer months. Foods also contain vitamin D. For example, you can fix a large amount of it in fish oil, yolk, liver and cow's milk. This component is necessary to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestines. It also reduces the excretion of decomposition products in the urine. Lack of vitamin A is dangerous for babies and adults. Cholecalciferol is used in the body for the following processes:

• Launching direct protein synthesis.
• Correct growth and increase in skeletal volume.
• The accumulation of essential mineral components in the teeth and bones.
• Strengthening and toning muscle mass.
• Restoration of the natural protective functions of the body.

Vitamin D can enter the human body through one of the ways:

• The synthetic effect of sunlight on fungus that grows and develops on the skin. It can also be obtained through the regular use of dietary supplements.
• Vitamin D is a part of animal food, so it can enter the body along with food.

The body needs most of all the intake of vitamin D 3. However, the component is present in nature and in other forms: D 4, D 5 and D 6

Features of the manifestation of an overdose

In an adult or a small child, the following symptoms of an overdose of vitamin D are distinguished:

• Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Periodic shortness of breath, fever.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Convulsions.

Symptoms completely disappear if you completely stop taking vitamin D. A newborn child is incredibly susceptible to external changes, therefore, his body has a number of features of the manifestation of an overabundance of this component:

• The infant may experience individual body reactions.
• Sleep and rest disorder.
• Improper weight gain.
• Vomiting leading to thirst.
• Manifestation of constipation or diarrhea.

Drugs are allowed to drink in agreement with the doctor

An infant should not drink more than one drop of the active ingredient every day. When the dose is doubled, the baby is guaranteed an overdose. In addition, it should be noted that a child after birth has little adipose tissue, so the body cannot cope with such an excess.

The situation can also arise if the child consumes foods that his body cannot properly process and assimilate. Although the substance is useful, it cannot be properly consumed. Serious signs of violations appear if an excessive amount of this component is regularly ingested into the body.

Possible diseases

If there is an excess of vitamin D in the body, then the following diseases can develop in a child and an adult:

• osteoporosis;
• insufficient amount of minerals in the bones;
• the formation of blood clots in the vessels;
• arthralgia.

A situation with a constant excess of vitamin D in the body is dangerous and can lead to asthenia, excessive bone growth, kyphosis and lordosis. In this case, the child is at increased risk of frequent fractures and dislocations. Specific disorders are characteristic only for the initial stage of the development of the disease.

For a newborn baby, the norm for vitamin D intake is 75% of the adult dosage. Its calculation has nothing to do with the weight of the crumbs. To fill the lack of a component in the body, special multivitamin complexes are used.

The opinion of doctors

In a normal state, an adult's body should receive from 400 to 600 IU. The value of this criterion largely depends on body weight and individual characteristics of the human body. If it is necessary to take additional vitamin D, then it is prescribed in the amount of 600 IU.

For an infant, the daily dose is much lower. It ranges from 300 to 400 IU. Even a one-time consumption of more can lead to negative manifestations. Hypervitaminosis is diagnosed if 800 IU has entered the body of the crumbs. The form of manifestation of the disease directly depends on the individual characteristics of the crumbs' organism.

Most often, excessive use of vitamin D leads to disruptions in the digestive system. Cases of serious overdose have been reported. In this case, more than 2000 IU got into the crumbs' body every day.

Today, in any pharmacy you can find a large number of vitamin complexes that contain a daily dose of cholecalciferol. A small person may need to take additional medications to prevent the development of rickets.

Self-medication in such a matter is considered unacceptable. Only a pediatrician can choose the right drug and dosage. Additionally, it should be noted that a separate group of drugs should be used to treat osteoporosis. Among the universal vitamin complexes, Duovit and Vitrum are very popular.

One drop of Aquadetrim contains the necessary amount of vitamin D for proper growth and development. It's easy to get an overdose - just drink more than 15 drops. Chronic hypervitaminosis develops if the child receives more than three drops every day.

Akvadetrim is prescribed to crumbs with a daily dose of one drop

Prevention

An overdose of vitamin D or an allergy to this component is dangerous for a baby at any age. If negative symptoms are found, it is recommended to immediately stop taking the drug. It is possible to normalize the condition of a small patient, subject to proper nutrition and adherence to the diet prescribed by the pediatrician. Foods with a high calcium content should be excluded from the diet of the baby and mother. These include cottage cheese, eggs and cow's milk.

However, nutrition involves replacing these dishes with food with a high content of vitamins E, A, C and B. Parents should regularly take their child to a consultation with a pediatrician. The doctor, in turn, should closely monitor changes in the condition of the little patient. The body will take a certain time for intoxication and excretion of excessive amounts of this component. Steroids are used when necessary in the treatment of acute conditions. The course of therapy is mandatory under the supervision of a physician.

Many experts agree that vitamin complexes are allowed to be taken only in case of obvious signs of rickets. Otherwise, there is a risk of drug overdose. In this case, the crumbs will show clear signs of this condition. It is recommended to reduce the time spent in the sun during the treatment period.

• The increase in dosage was agreed with several doctors at once.
• The need to treat a specific disease.
• The patient does not have the opportunity to receive vitamin D from other food products.

Most often, an excess of cholecalciferol in the body occurs in the case of attempts to self-medicate serious diseases. Parents should remember that the drug is allowed to drink only as directed by a doctor. It is necessary to refuse from its reception in case of deterioration of the general condition of the patient. An excess of vitamin D leads to stool disorders. In this case, the intake of the vitamin complex should be stopped.