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When taken by mouth: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in recommended amounts. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 units daily is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and may cause excessively high levels of calcium in the blood. However, much higher doses are often needed for the short-term treatment of vitamin D deficiency. This type of treatment should be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
When given as a shot: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE when given as a shot into the muscle in recommended amounts. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Vitamin D is
LIKELY SAFE during pregnancy and breast-feeding when used in daily amounts below 4000 units. Do not use higher doses unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Vitamin D is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in higher amounts during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Using higher doses might cause serious harm to the infant.
Children: Vitamin D is
LIKELY SAFE in children when taken by mouth in recommended amounts. But it is
POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take vitamin D in higher doses, long-term. Infants from 0-6 months should not take more than 1000 IU daily. Infants aged 6-12 months should not take more than 1500 IU daily. Children aged 1-3 years should not take more than 2500 IU daily. Children aged 4-8 years should not take more than 3000 IU daily. Children aged 9 years and older should not take more than 4000 IU daily.
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): Taking vitamin D could make this condition worse, especially in people with kidney disease.
A type of fungal infection called histoplasmosis: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with histoplasmosis. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.
High levels of calcium in the blood: Taking vitamin D could make this condition worse.
Over-active parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism): Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with hyperparathyroidism. Use vitamin D cautiously.
Lymphoma: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with lymphoma. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.
Kidney disease: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels and increase the risk of "hardening of the arteries" in people with serious kidney disease. This must be balanced with the need to prevent renal osteodystrophy, a bone disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to maintain the proper levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Calcium levels should be monitored carefully in people with kidney disease.
A disease that causes swelling (inflammation) in body organs, usually the lungs or lymph nodes (sarcoidosis): Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with sarcoidosis. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.
Tuberculosis: Vitamin D might increase calcium levels in people with tuberculosis. This might result in complications such as kidney stones.
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The upper limit that healthcare professionals recommend for vitamin D is 4,000 IU per day for an adult. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that vitamin D toxicity is unlikely at intakes under 10,000 IU per day.
Excessive consumption of vitamin D can lead to over calcification of bones and the hardening of blood vessels, kidney, lung, and heart tissues.
The most common symptoms of excessive vitamin D include headache and nausea. However, too much vitamin D can also lead to the following:
- • Loss of appetite
- • Dry mouth
- • Metallic taste
- • Vomiting
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
Excess vitamin D usually occurs from taking too many supplements. It is best to get vitamin D from natural sources.
If someone is taking supplements, they should choose their brand carefully, as the FDA do not monitor the safety or purity of supplements. *
