Vitamin D: Too Much or Too Little?

COVID-19 likely made you aware of the role vitamin D plays in a properly functioning immune system and maybe you have started taking a supplement.  Vitamin D also plays a role in your bone health.  Paragon Orthopedic Center encourages vitamin D to be taken with your calcium supplements to increase absorption of the calcium.  Up to 40% of Americans are vitamin D deficient, which could put you at risk for diseases and infections, as well as weaker bones that could result in fractures.  Even if you are eating a healthy, well-rounded diet, you can still be deficient in this vitamin.  At the other end of the spectrum is having too much vitamin D.  Did you know that vitamin D is one of the four vitamins that pose a higher risk of toxicity when taken in quantities larger than recommended?  Although vitamin D toxicity is uncommon, it can sometimes be found in people with certain health conditions, such as lymphomas, congenital disorders, and some metabolic disorders.  Toxicity also might occur because of accidental overdose or prescription errors.  Here are some signs that you might experience from vitamin D toxicity:
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Constipation
-Poor appetite
-Altered mental state, such as confusion or agitation
The only way to tell if you are toxic or deficient in vitamin D is to have your blood drawn.  Since deficiency is more likely than toxicity, it is a good idea to discuss your vitamin D levels with your healthcare professional and consider whether a daily supplement is a good idea for your health.

6 Side Effects of Too Much Vitamin D (healthline.com)