Poison emergency call for vitamin D: Inquiries about overdose are increasing

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Of: Sophia Lother

The Poisons Information Center is receiving more and more inquiries about taking high-dose vitamin D preparations. What’s behind it?

Erfurt – When the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, more and more people take vitamin D supplements. They are said to help prevent colds and other illnesses. But the dietary supplements do not always deliver what they promise.

One Overdosing on vitamin D and other substances can even be harmful to health. This is also shown by the latest data that has now been published by the poison information center in Erfurt. As a result, inquiries about income from high-dose vitamin D preparations are increasing. But what is behind it?

Vitamin D overdose: emergency calls and inquiries to the poison information center are increasing

Too high a dose of vitamin D can be dangerous. (symbol photo) © Bassi/Imago

There have already been 162 such cases this year, 31 more than in 2021, said the head of the poison information center in Erfurt, Dagmar Prasa, of the German Press Agency. Vitamin D has moved up to 17th place from 69th place last year in the ranking of the drugs most frequently referred to in the calls.

Maybe that has something to do with it corona together and believe that vitamin D is better at protecting against infection, says Prasa. There are some very high-dose preparations on the market – also as dietary supplements. “If you make a mistake in the dosage and take a milliliter instead of a drop, you already have a clear overdose,” Prasa told the dpa. But what is the highest safe daily intake of vitamin D? The joint expert commission of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices has the following Opinion published:

Highest Safe Daily Intake of Vitamin D (UL*)
25 micrograms
50 micrograms
100 micrograms
100 micrograms
Source: Statement on products containing vitamin D

* UL refers to vitamin D intake from all sources: general foods, fortified foods, dietary supplements, balanced diets. The UL is well above the actual physiological need.

More inquiries about vitamin D supplements: What happens in a chronic overdose

A single overdose of vitamin D is relatively harmless. “It becomes a problem if you do it every day,” says the pharmacist. A chronic overdose causes the calcium level in the blood to rise and this has other consequences. This can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and kidney damage. According to Prasa, most of the inquiries concerned a one-time, accidental overdose or that children had served themselves.

The human body forms vitamin D itself under the influence of sunlight. That is why it is also known as the sun hormone. Vitamin D contributes to bone stability and is important for the immune system. It can protect against acute respiratory infections. Nevertheless, the intake of preparations should be discussed with a doctor beforehand. (slo with dpa)

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