Recently, researchers from the University of Toronto have found that taking too much vitamin D supplements could lead to kidney failure.
They reported a man’s kidney condition that highlights the dangers of taking too much vitamin D.
The study is published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. One author is Dr. Bourne Auguste, a Clinical Fellow in Home Dialysis at Toronto General Hospital.
In this case, a 54-year-old man returned from a trip to Southeast Asia where he spent much of his holiday sunbathing.
The man experienced increased levels of creatinine, which suggests kidney damage or malfunction.
Creatinine is a compound which is produced by the metabolism of creatine and excreted in the urine.
After a referral to a kidney specialist and further testing, the researchers discovered that the man had been prescribed high doses of vitamin D by a naturopath.
The naturopath recommended a dose of 8 drops of vitamin D every day.
Over two and a half years, the men took 8-12 drops of vitamin D daily, totaling 8000-12 000 IU. He did not have a history of bone loss or vitamin D deficiency.
The team found that the man had very high levels of calcium in the blood, which left him with severe kidney damage.
The finding shows although vitamin D toxicity is rare, the over-the-counter vitamin D supplements may pose a health risk to people who are not familiar with the issue.
The recommended daily allowance is 400-1000 IU, and 800-2000 IU recommended for people with a high risk of osteoporosis and for older adults.
The team says patients and clinicians should be better informed about the risks of overuse of vitamin D.
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