A man who has been hospitalised for months-long episodes of vomiting receives a warning about a vitamin D "overdose"

 A man who consumed significantly more vitamin D tablets than was necessary each day for months experienced serious health problems.

A middle-aged man who had been experiencing frequent vomiting and other severe symptoms for three months was hospitalised in the UK in a case that emphasises the risks of taking too many supplements.

As a result of the growing popularity of supplements, doctors are now advising that the case was an illustration of hypervitaminosis D, the medical name for a vitamin D overdose.

According to the Mayo Clinic, hypervitaminosis D can result in a buildup of calcium in the blood, which can lead to nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. According to the US medical centre, vitamin D intoxication can result in renal issues like the development of calcium stones as well as bone pain.

After treating the patient, doctors published a warning about the risks of vitamin D overdose in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

A month after starting a rigorous regimen of vitamin supplements, the man's family doctor referred him to the hospital when he developed a number of worrisome symptoms including stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.

His three-month-long symptoms included frequent vomiting, nausea, cramping in the legs, tinnitus (ear ringing), dry mouth, increased thirst, and diarrhoea.

Over this period, he also lost 12.7 kg of weight.

Once these symptoms started, the patient decided to stop taking his regular supplement regimen, but they persisted.

His family doctor had him get blood work done, and the results showed that he had very high calcium levels and slightly elevated magnesium levels. His vitamin D levels were seven times higher than what is advised.

Additionally, the organs weren't functioning properly due to acute kidney injury that was discovered in him.

The man was given fluids to clean his system out and a therapy to reduce the levels of calcium in his blood while he was hospitalised for eight days.

A nutritional therapist's recommendation led to the patient beginning his supplementation programme.

Due to the rising popularity of supplements that are marketed by advertisements, health influencers, and dietitians, the study's authors issue a warning that such cases are on the rise globally.

The doctor's patient had been ingesting large amounts of more than 20 over-the-counter supplements daily.

The amount of vitamin D in these was 150,000 international units (IU), which is more than 300 times the daily recommended dosage.

His calcium level had recovered to normal two months after leaving the hospital, but his vitamin D level remained too high.

The authors of the journal study expressed concern that "hypervitaminosis D, a clinical condition characterised by elevated serum vitamin D3 levels, is on the rise globally."

The likelihood of being impacted is highest in women, kids, and surgery patients, they added.

Coauthor of the study and endocrinologist Dr. Alamin Alkundi told Euronews Next that more public education was required to prevent excessive or unsupervised use of vitamin D pills. He further stated that other over-the-counter supplements also included hazards.

He wrote in an email, "Practically, it is possible to overdose on any dietary supplement or agent (including water), and this is especially true if the liver and/or kidneys are not functioning effectively.

"Therefore, caution should be exercised to prevent supplement overdose."

Despite the authors' warnings about the risks of excessive vitamin D intake, the NHS does advise patients to take a supplement during the fall and winter.

This is because sunshine, which is the best provider of vitamin D, isn't powerful enough to provide the body enough of the vitamin throughout the winter.

Oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and some fortified foods like morning cereals all contain vitamin D.

Calcium and phosphate, nutrients required to maintain strong bones, teeth, and muscles, are controlled by vitamin D in the body.

According to NHS recommendations, the daily supplement dose for the majority of persons is only 10 micrograms (g), or 400 IU.

1,000 times smaller than a milligramme is a microgram (mg).

The NHS advises against consuming more than 100 g (4,000 IU) of vitamin D per day as it may have negative health effects. This rule applies to all individuals, including those who are pregnant, nursing, elderly, and kids who are 11 to 17 years old.

Children between the ages of 1 and 10 shouldn't consume more than 50 g (2,000 IU) each day. Under-12-month-old infants shouldn't consume more than 25 g (1,000 IU) per day.

For most persons in the United States, a daily intake of 15 g or 600 IU of vitamin D is advised; however, for those over 70, the dose is increased to 20 g or 800 IU daily.

The authors of the study note that, in addition to the symptoms the patient experienced, vitamin D poisoning symptoms can also include drowsiness, disorientation, apathy, psychosis, depression, coma, anorexia, ulcers, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythm.

They advise consumers to consult their doctor before beginning any alternative therapy or over-the-counter medication regimen because many people might not be aware of the possible risks of using dietary supplements in "hazardous levels or in unsafe combinations."