Will Taking Vitamin D Tablets Make You Sick?

Most people do not get enough vitamin D, with research showing that around 1 billion people worldwide are deficient by clinical standards. While fatty fish can be beneficial, it is important to note that vitamin D is a water-soluble nutrient and cannot be taken at doctor-recommended doses or as a single agent. Excessive amounts of vitamin D can lead to toxicity and related side effects, such as diarrhea and constipation. Vitamin D toxicity typically results from taking a high dosage of supplements, and vitamin D from food and sunlight won’t cause toxicity.

The University of Maryland Medical Health System notes that too much vitamin D can cause both diarrhea and constipation as well as a host of other side effects. It is recommended that children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms of vitamin D a day. Taking vitamin D can increase levels of calcium in the blood, and too much calcium can cause side effects. If you take large doses of vitamin D, you may experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation, or diarrhea as a result of elevated calcium levels.

While diarrhea is not a common side effect of vitamin D, it can be a sign of elevated calcium levels due to vitamin D toxicity. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses can also lead to IBS and Vitamin D deficiency, which can result in symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, bloating, urgency (the need to use a restroom in a hurry), white or yellow urine, and other issues.

In conclusion, taking too many vitamin D supplements can lead to complications, including diarrhea, constipation, and other side effects. It is crucial to consult a doctor before taking any supplements to ensure proper health and well-being.

Why do I get diarrhea after taking vitamins?

Nowadays, everything from bottled water to orange juice seems to have souped-up levels of vitamins and minerals in it. That may sound like a way to help cover your nutritional bases, especially if your diet is less than stellar. But routinely getting an overload of vitamins and minerals can hurt you.

Too much vitamin C or zinc could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Too much selenium could lead to hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.

While most people aren’t getting megadoses, if you eat a fortified cereal at breakfast, grab an energy bar between meals, have enriched pasta for dinner, and take a daily supplement, you could easily be over the recommended daily intake of a host of nutrients.

Here’s what you need to know to avoid overdoing it.

Is vitamin D Laxative?

Some vitamins, like vitamins C and D, may help relieve constipation.

Constipation is a common medical problem. In the United States, people make 2. 5 million visits to the doctor for constipation every year.

Apart from OTC medications, people can try eating foods high in fiber, such as:

In this article, we explore vitamins and supplements for constipation. We take a look at the effects of different vitamins on digestive health.

What are the warning signs of too much vitamin D?

What are the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity?Decrease in appetite. Nausea and vomiting. Constipation. Dehydration. Increased thirst (polydipsia). Frequent urination. Confusion, lethargy and fatigue. Muscle weakness and difficulty walking.

What is vitamin D toxicity?. Vitamin D toxicity (hypervitaminosis D) happens when you have too much vitamin D in your body. It’s a rare complication that most often happens from taking higher-than-prescribed amounts of prescription vitamin D or too much of a self-prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) supplement.

Excess vitamin D leads to hypercalcemia (higher-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood), which is what causes symptoms.

Vitamin D toxicity usually isn’t life-threatening, but it can be quite harmful to your health. Severe cases can cause issues such as kidney failure, abnormal heart rhythm ( arrhythmia ), unsteady gait ( ataxia ) and confusion.

When to stop taking vitamin D?

Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4, 000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

Children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms (2, 000 IU) a day. Infants under 12 months should not have more than 25 micrograms (1, 000 IU) a day.

Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.

If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.

What are the side effects of taking vitamin D tablets?

Children age 9 years and older, adults, and pregnant and breastfeeding women who take more than 4, 000 IU a day of vitamin D might experience:Nausea and vomiting. Poor appetite and weight loss. Constipation. Weakness. Confusion and disorientation. Heart rhythm problems. Kidney stones and kidney damage.

Overview. Vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs for building and maintaining healthy bones. That’s because your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity.

Vitamin D isn’t naturally found in many foods, but you can get it from fortified milk, fortified cereal, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. Your body also makes vitamin D when direct sunlight converts a chemical in your skin into an active form of the vitamin (calciferol).

The amount of vitamin D your skin makes depends on many factors, including the time of day, season, latitude and your skin pigmentation. Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, vitamin D production might decrease or be completely absent during the winter months. Sunscreen, while important to prevent skin cancer, also can decrease vitamin D production.

Why do I feel weird after taking vitamin D?

Extremely high vitamin D levels are harmful and can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, excessive thirst and kidney stones. Vitamin D supplements can interact with certain medications, so check with your doctor before starting one.

Who is more at risk for vitamin D deficiency?. People with darker skin are much better protected from UV rays but also need to spend more time in the sun than people with lighter skin to produce the same amount of vitamin D. Non-Hispanic Black people generally have higher rates of vitamin D deficiency. The darker your skin, the less vitamin D you make from sunlight exposure. People who are obese, those with osteoporosis, and people with malabsorption disorders like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

If you are concerned you have low vitamin D levels and would like to talk to a doctor about it, schedule an appointment at the University Health Center by calling 402. 472. 5000.

How much vitamin D3 should I take daily?

Recommended IntakesAgeMaleFemale14–18 years15 mcg (600 IU)15 mcg (600 IU)19–50 years15 mcg (600 IU)15 mcg (600 IU)51–70 years15 mcg (600 IU)15 mcg (600 IU)>70 years20 mcg (800 IU)20 mcg (800 IU)

• Consumer
• Datos en español
• Health Professional
• Other Resources

• Table of Contents. Introduction
• Recommended Intakes
• Sources of Vitamin D
• Vitamin D Intakes and Status
• Vitamin D Deficiency
• Groups at Risk of Vitamin D Inadequacy
• Vitamin D and Health
• Health Risks from Excessive Vitamin D
• Interactions with Medications
• Vitamin D and Healthful Diets
• References
• Disclaimer

This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals. For a general overview, see our consumer fact sheet.

What happens if I take 5000 IU of vitamin D3 every day?

High doses such as 5, 000 IU can lead to vitamin D toxicity. The upper safety limit for daily intake is 4, 000 IU of vitamin D for adults and children above 12 years of age.

How Much Vitamin D Should I Take A Day?. Vitamin D is naturally absorbed through the skin by sunlight (UVB rays) and very few food sources. Depending on various factors, including location, diet, length of exposure to the sun, and skin tone, you may have to take a supplement to get adequate levels of vitamin D. Your doctor can confirm if you need a vitamin D supplement through a blood test.

Vitamin D intake is measured in international units (IU) or micrograms (mcg). One microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.

Age-Related Recommendations for Daily Vitamin D Intake. The Office of Dietary Supplements of the U. S. Food and Nutrition Board makes recommendations for dietary reference intakes of nutrients. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin D in people of different ages is as follows:

Who should not take vitamin D tablets?

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to colecalciferol or to any of the other ingredients in the capsules, tablets, syrup or drops
• have a peanut or soya allergy
• have hypercalcaemia – high levels of calcium in your blood
• have hypercalciuria – high levels of calcium in your pee
• have problems with your kidneys, such as kidney failure, or you’ve ever had kidney stones
• have hypervitaminosis D – high levels of vitamin D in your blood
• have a rare condition called sarcoidosis
• have calcification – high levels of calcium in your body tissues or organs

Colecalciferol capsules may also not be suitable for you if you are vegan or vegetarian, or have a kosher or halal diet, as they may contain an animal product called gelatine.

Find out more about vegetarian and vegan alternatives on the SPS website.

Why vitamin D should not be taken daily?

Can vitamin D be harmful?. Yes, getting too much vitamin D can be harmful. Very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones. Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and even death. High levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D from dietary supplements. You cannot get too much vitamin D from sunshine because your skin limits the amount of vitamin D it makes.

The daily upper limits for vitamin D include intakes from all sources—food, beverages, and supplements—and are listed below in micrograms (mcg) and IU. However, your health care provider might recommend doses above these upper limits for a period of time to treat a vitamin D deficiency.

Does vitamin D interact with medications or other dietary supplements?. Yes, vitamin D supplements may interact with some medicines. Here are several examples:

How much vitamin D is too much per day?

Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4, 000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

Children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms (2, 000 IU) a day. Infants under 12 months should not have more than 25 micrograms (1, 000 IU) a day.

Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.

If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.