Hypervitaminosis refers to the abnormally where high storage levels of vitamins in the body, which can lead to toxic symptoms.
This condition is most commonly associated with fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A and D, because these vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues and are not readily excreted.
Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by symptoms such as hypercalcemia, which can present with anorexia, nausea, weakness, weight loss, and more severe complications like renal impairment, polyuria, nocturia, and vascular calcification.
The condition is often due to excessive intake of vitamin D supplements or errors in dosing, leading to elevated serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Hypervitaminosis A can result in symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, abdominal discomfort, and more severe manifestations like hepatotoxicity, increased intracranial pressure, and skeletal abnormalities.
Chronic toxicity of high doses of vitamin A, leading to significant health issues.
Treatment for hypervitaminosis generally involves discontinuation of the offending vitamin.
For hypervitaminosis D, this may include hydration, use of loop diuretics, and medications like calcitonin and bisphosphonates to manage hypercalcemia.
For hypervitaminosis A, treatment focuses on stopping vitamin A intake and managing symptoms such as hypercalcemia with hydration and medications like pamidronate.
Hypervitaminosis is a serious condition resulting from excessive intake of vitamins, particularly vitamins A and D, and requires prompt medical intervention to prevent severe complications.
Toxic levels of vitamins stem from high supplement intake and not always from natural sources but rather the mix of natural, derived vitamins and enhancers.
Toxicities of fat-soluble vitamins can also be caused by a large intake of highly fortified foods, but natural food in modest levels rarely deliver extreme or dangerous levels of fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin toxicities manifest as:
Frequent urination and/or cloudy urine Increased urine amount Eye irritation and/or increased sensitivity to light Irregular and/or rapid heartbeat Bone and joint pain, associated with avitaminosis) Muscle pain Confusion and mood changes Convulsions Fatigue Headache Flushing of skin, associated with niacin overdose Skin disturbances (e.g. dryness, itching, cracking of skin, rashes, increased sensitivity to sun) Changes of hair texture (e.g. thickening and/or clumping of hair) Appetite loss Constipation (associated with iron or calcium overdose) Nausea and vomiting Diarrhoea Moderate weight loss (more commonly seen in long-term overdose cases)
With few exceptions, like some vitamins from B-complex, hypervitaminosis usually occurs with the fat-soluble vitamins A and D, which are stored, respectively, in the liver and fatty tissues of the body.
These vitamins build up and remain for a longer time in the body than water-soluble vitamins.
Conditions include:
Hypervitaminosis A Hypervitaminosis D Vitamin B3 Toxicity Megavitamin-B6 syndrome Vitamin E toxicity