Excessive Vitamin D may Cause Kidney Damage

In a rare case, a 54-year-old man who went home after returning to Southeast Asia spent most of his vacation sunbathing. He was diagnosed with kidney damage after taking high doses of vitamin D for many years. According to a study published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association, after being referred to a kidney specialist and further testing, the man was found to have given high doses of vitamin D through natural remedies. He recommends taking 8 drops a day.

In more than two and a half years, patients with no history of bone loss or vitamin D deficiency take 8-12 drops of vitamin D per day for a total of 8,000-12,000 IU. As a result, his blood calcium levels were very high, causing him severe kidney damage.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 400-1000 IU, and 800-2000 IU is recommended for high-risk adults with osteoporosis and the elderly.

“Although vitamin D is rarely toxic due to its wide range of treatments, its widespread use in a variety of over-the-counter drugs can pose a significant risk to unwitting patients,” said Bourne Auguste of the University of Toronto. Clinicians must be aware that vitamin D is used to limit the risk of complications associated with hypercalcemia.

Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, calcium levels may get worse before the patient gets better, even after stopping the supplement. “Our experience tells us that patients and clinicians should have a better understanding of the risks of unrestricted use of vitamin D,” the researchers suggest.