Vitamin D offers many health benefits and is very important for your body to function properly. This article will discuss vitamin D, how it is beneficial, how an IV treatment works, and the side effects of taking too much vitamin D.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D (also known as calciferol) is a vitamin that is naturally present in foods such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. It can also be added to other foods, such as milk and cereal. Additionally, there are also vitamin D supplements available. It is produced naturally by your body when ultraviolet rays of sunlight touch your skin and send your cells into vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D is fat-soluble.
The vitamin D you get from food, sunlight, and supplements are first broken down in your liver, forming what is known as calcidiol. Secondly, it is broken down in your kidneys to form calcitriol.
Vitamin D has many roles in your body’s functions. It helps your body absorb calcium, which keeps your bones healthy and strong.1 Vitamin D reduces inflammation and regulates the growth of your cells, the function of your neuromuscular system and your immune system, and metabolizes glucose.2 Aging and obesity do not affect the absorption of vitamin D in your organs.
There are different recommended vitamin D intake levels depending on age. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for infants 0-12 months is 400 international units (IU). People 1-70 years old should have 600 IU of vitamin D daily. People over 70 years old need 800 IU daily.
How do I know if I am vitamin D deficient?
You may be Vitamin D deficient, depending on several different reasons. For example, your skin color may impact how much Vitamin D your body may be able to absorb.3 The weather of wherever you live may also play a factor in whether or not you have lower levels of Vitamin D. Lastly, your weight or if you happen to have a certain medical condition may impact how much Vitamin D you may get in your body.
What are the Side Effects of Taking too Much Vitamin D?
In people over the age of 9, taking more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D supplements per day can lead to harmful side effects. A few symptoms of vitamin D overdose are nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness and pain. Other side effects include loss of appetite, dehydration (and extreme thirst), and kidney stones.
In severe cases, too much vitamin D can cause kidney failure, make the soft tissues throughout your body (including your heart) calcify, heart arrhythmias, and sometimes even death.4
Although we do not offer pure vitamin D IV treatments at Drip Hydration, we do have IV treatments that contain vitamin D3.
Can vitamin D actually be poisonous?
It is very unlikely to be poisoned by Vitamin D. This is only likely to happen if you accidentally take too much of it, get the wrong dosage, or deliberately take more than the recommended amount of high-dose Vitamin D.5
Stomach problems
One of the ways to tell if you are being poisoned from Vitamin D is if you experience any unpleasant digestive issues. For instance, you may feel like you need to throw up. You may also experience trouble with constipation or diarrhea. In addition, you may not have a good appetite.
Mental issues
Sometimes Vitamin D toxicity can change your mental patterns. There is a possibility that you may experience feeling confusion, bouts of depression, and even psychotic symptoms. In extreme circumstances, you may get into a coma.
Problems with your kidneys
In some unusual situations, being poisoned from Vitamin D may affect your kidneys. It is even possible to even experience kidney failure. This is due to the fact that excessive Vitamin D can cause the risk of building up too much calcium and, as a result, causes you to pee too much and therefore leads to you being dehydrated, which damages your kidneys.
Too much calcium in your blood
Though too much calcium can form in your kidneys, it is important for you to know that it can also impact your blood. Under normal levels, Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium, depending on the kind of food you eat. Under abnormal levels of Vitamin D levels, that may be poisonous; however, too much buildup of calcium levels in your blood can be very dangerous.
So how much Vitamin D do I actually need to take?
Interestingly, researchers have argued about how much Vitamin D you should take. However, in the United States, you are strongly encouraged not to take anything more than 1,500–2,000 IU every day of Vitamin D. It is proven that you can take as much as 4,000 IU without causing any harm. However, any more past this point may be risky unless a doctor advises it.
How Does IV Treatment Work?
Intravenous (IV) treatments work faster than dietary supplements because the ingredients in the IV bag are delivered directly into your bloodstream and go to work in your body right away. With dietary supplements, it takes longer to see effects because the supplement must first go through your digestive system before it can be used by your body.
Medical professionals administer all Drip Hydration IV treatments in your home or office. You do not need to worry about commuting to a clinic or possibly injuring yourself by having to insert and remove the IV by yourself.
Call Us Today
Contact us at Drip Hydration today if you would like to learn more about the different IV treatments we offer.
Vitamin D Shots with Drip Hydration
Vitamin D helps support healthy energy levels, mood, immune function, and more. Replenish low levels of this essential vitamin with in-home shots administered by one of our registered nurses.
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If you want to know more about our treatments or the places we service, give us a call! We’ll be happy to answer anything you’d like to know about vitamin D drips.
Vitamin D Shots - Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take too much vitamin D?
Yes, it is possible to take too much vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it can build up in the body and potentially lead to toxic levels if it is consumed in large amounts. Vitamin D toxicity can cause hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, kidney problems, and more.
How often do you need vitamin D shots?
Frequency of treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the severity of vitamin D deficiency, medical history, and other factors. However, most people may receive 1 – 3 shots over the course of a year.
Are vitamin D shots better than oral supplements?
Yes. Because vitamin D shots are given intramuscularly, the ingredients bypass your digestive system so that the full dose is available to your body for maximum benefits. Vitamin D shots are rapidly available for your cells to use.
What happens if you don’t treat vitamin D deficiency?
Not treating vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare but treatable condition that causes fatigue, frequent illnesses, depression, and impacts bone and muscle health. In children, vitamin D deficiency can impact normal growth and development.
