MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hypervitaminosis D

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Hypervitaminosis D

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Alternative names

Vitamin D toxicity

Definition Return to top

Hypervitaminosis D symptoms appear several months after excessive doses of vitamin D are administered.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

An excess of vitamin D causes abnormally high blood concentrations of calcium which can eventually cause severe damage to the bones, soft tissues, and kidneys. It is almost always associated with forms of vitamin D that require a doctor's prescription.

Symptoms Return to top

Dehydration
Vomiting
Decreased appetite (anorexia)
Irritability
Constipation
Fatigue

Signs and tests Return to top

Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
Polyuria (passing large amounts of urine)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood)
Hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine)

Tests to confirm the diagnosis:

Calcium - serum
Phosphorus - serum
25 hydroxyVitamin D levels
1,25 dihydroxyVitamin D levels
X-ray of the bone (focusing on the long bones)

Treatment Return to top

Stop vitamin D intake. Consult your physician. In severe cases, other therapy may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Recovery is expected.

Complications Return to top

Kidney damage
Kidney stones

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if you or your child shows symptoms of hypervitaminosis D and you have been taking vitamin D in excess of the recommended daily allowance or have been taking a prescription form of vitamin D.

Prevention Return to top

To prevent this condition, pay careful attention to appropriate vitamin D intake.

Update Date: 2/2/2004

Updated by: Tarun Jain, M.D., Endocrinology & Infertility Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.