Vitamin D

How does Vitamin D work?

Vitamin D is required for the regulation of the minerals calcium and phosphorus found in the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining the proper bone structure.

Are there safety concerns?

Vitamin D is safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D might include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others.

When taking vitamin D for long periods of time, doses higher than 50 mcg (2000 units) per day might not be safe and may cause excessively high levels of calcium in the blood. However, much higher doses are often needed for the short-term treatment of vitamin D deficiency.

Don't take vitamin D without talking to your healthcare professional if you have:

• Kidney disease.
• High levels of calcium in the blood.
• Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
• A condition called sarcoidosis.
• A condition called histoplasmosis.
• An overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism).
• Lymphoma.