Health
Man dies after consuming too much vitamin D, experts warn of risks: 'Cascade of problems'
Amid reports of a U.K. man’s death from high amounts of vitamin D, experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels.
After 89-year-old David Mitchener died last year from hypercalcemia, a build-up of calcium in the body that is caused by excess levels of vitamin D, the Surrey assistant coroner released a report urging regulatory agencies to warn consumers about the risk of excessive intake.
Michener was admitted to East Surrey Hospital on May 10, 2023, and died 10 days later. Tests revealed that his vitamin D levels were at the maximum recordable level, according to the report from Jonathan Stevens, the assistant coroner.
COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENTS ARE ALL THE RAGE, BUT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS WORTH THE RISKS?
Vitamin D toxicity was listed as one of the factors in Michener’s death, along with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney failure and hypercalcemia.
“David Mitchener had been taking vitamin supplements for at least the preceding nine months,” the report stated.
Experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels of vitamin D after a U.K. man died of excessive consumption. (iStock)
The supplements he was taking did not have any warnings on or in the packaging detailing the specific risks or side effects, according to the report.
“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” Stevens, the assistant coroner, wrote.
“Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.”
What is a safe level of vitamin D?
For healthy adults, 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D (15 mcg) per day is all that’s necessary, according to Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts.
“Usually, this can come from fortified foods and sunlight,” he told Fox News Digital.
Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD. (iStock)
Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD.
Healthy people should not be taking more than 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day, Cohen advised.
“Taking more than that can cause a cascade of problems, as vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of issues,” he warned.
IMPROVING MEMORY MAY BE AS EASY AS POPPING A MULTIVITAMIN, STUDY FINDS: ‘PREVENTS VASCULAR DEMENTIA’
“Overdosages occur with taking much more — usually 60,000 international units a day or more.”
The amount of vitamin D required in the diet can also vary by age, according to Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C.
“Vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of problems.”
“Smaller amounts (400 IU) are recommended in the first year of life,” she told Fox News Digital.
“For children older than 1 year of age, adolescents and most adults, 600 IU a day is recommended. The dose is the same for people who are pregnant or lactating.”
For older adults over age 70, an intake of 800 IU per day is recommended.
Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated. (iStock)
“Higher doses are also recommended for individuals with vitamin D deficiency, with larger doses required for more severe deficiency,” Amirshahi added.
One common mistake is that some vitamin D prescriptions are dosed once a week, but people may accidentally take them daily, which can lead to toxicity, the doctor warned.
Symptoms of vitamin D overdose
Consuming too much vitamin D can lead to any number of symptoms that can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions.
These may include thirst, excessive urination and nausea, Cohen said — “but they can also be much more ominous, such as getting confused and becoming quite weak.”
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS: HERE’S HOW TO STAY SAFE
The main effect of vitamin D in the body is that it increases calcium concentrations, according to Amirshahi.
“The signs and symptoms of vitamin D poisoning are similar to people who have elevated calcium concentrations for other reasons,” she said. “The symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.”
“Symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.” (iStock)
The National Institute of Health (NIH) warns that “very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.”
It adds, “Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death.”
Toxicity of a dose may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as underlying medical problems like kidney disease, Amirshahi noted.
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY LINKED TO DEMENTIA IN CERTAIN POPULATIONS WHEN LEVELS ARE VERY LOW: STUDY
“Another important factor is how long an individual is taking large doses of vitamin D,” she said.
“Often, a single large dose (50,000 to 150,000 IU, depending on the size of the individual) is well-tolerated, but chronic overdose can be much more dangerous.”
Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated on its website.
“Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death,” the NIH warned. (iStock)
“Vitamin D toxicity has been caused by consumption of dietary supplements that contained excessive vitamin D amounts because of manufacturing errors, that were taken inappropriately or in excessive amounts, or that were incorrectly prescribed by physicians,” according to the agency.
“You cannot get too much vitamin D from sunshine because your skin limits the amount of vitamin D it makes.”
Treatments for overdose
If someone has overdosed, the immediate treatment is to stop taking the vitamin and to restrict dietary calcium, according to Mayo Clinic.
Some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates.
If someone has overdosed, some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates. (iStock)
“We can give a dose of activated charcoal in the emergency department if someone took a large single dose of vitamin D to help bind it before it gets absorbed by the intestines,” said Amirshahi.
This is only helpful if the person comes in early and ingests a single large dose, however.
BE WELL: PREPARE A DINNER RICH IN VITAMIN D FOR GOOD HEALTH
“Once the vitamin D has been absorbed, the main treatment is to address the high calcium levels,” she said. “This could include administering intravenous fluids or giving medications that lower the calcium concentration.”
In severe cases when other measures don’t work, dialysis may be used to help remove the calcium.
Experts call for warnings
Because vitamin D is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” one doctor said. “Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.” (iStock)
“Supplements can be sold at almost any dose the manufacturer decides to use, and the manufacturer is not required to place warnings on even the highest doses of vitamin D that it is dangerous to take too much,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.
“Supplements are often poorly manufactured as well, and the dose on the label might not be accurate,” he warned.
“Research of vitamin D supplements in the U.S. has revealed that sometimes you can get too little or too much vitamin D in the pills.”
To help ensure the proper amount in each pill, Cohen recommends only purchasing vitamin D supplements that have been certified by either USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NSF International.
Fox News Digital reached out to David Mitchener (the assistant coroner in Surrey) and East Surrey Hospital requesting additional comment.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Cases of gout are rising in younger individuals, according to a global study.
The condition, which is a type of inflammatory arthritis, steadily increased in people aged 15 to 39 between 1990 and 2021, researchers in China announced.
Although rates vary widely between countries, the total number of young people with the condition is expected to continue rising through 2035.
WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS COULD ADD YEARS TO AMERICANS’ LIVES, RESEARCHERS PROJECT
The study, published in the journal Joint Bone Spine, investigated 2021 data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), spanning 204 countries within the 30-year timeframe.
The data measured gout prevalence, incidence and years lived with disability, tracking global trends over time. The results showed a global increase across all three outcomes.
Gout is expected to continue rising in young people through 2035. (iStock)
Prevalence and disability years increased by 66%, and incidence rose by 62%. In 2021, 15- to 39-year-olds accounted for nearly 14% of new gout cases globally, the study found.
Men from 35 to 39 years old and people in high-income regions had the highest burden, but high-income North America topped the list for highest rates.
‘SKINNY FAT’ WARNING ISSUED AS STUDY FINDS HIDDEN OBESITY BEHIND NORMAL BMI
Men were also found to have lived more years with gout due to high BMI, while women tended to have the condition as a link to kidney dysfunction, the study noted.
The total number of cases is expected to increase globally due to population growth, but the study projected that rates per population would decrease.
The researchers noted that data quality, especially in low-income settings, could have posed a limitation to the broad GBD data.
What is gout?
Gout is a common form of arthritis involving sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, according to Mayo Clinic. It most often occurs in the big toe.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The condition occurs when urate crystals accumulate in the joint. These form when there are high levels of uric acid in the blood, which the body produces when it breaks down a natural substance called purines.
A gout flare-up can happen at any time, often at night, causing the affected joint to feel hot, swollen, tender and sensitive to the touch.
Urate crystals, described as sharp and needle-like, build up in the joint, causing intense pain and swelling. (iStock)
Purines can also be found in certain foods, like red meat or organ meats like liver and some seafood, including anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout and tuna, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alcoholic drinks, especially beer, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar can also lead to higher uric acid levels.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Uric acid will typically dissolve in the blood and pass through the kidneys into urine, but when the body produces too much or too little uric acid, it can cause a build-up of urate crystals. These are described by the Mayo Clinic as sharp and needle-like, causing pain, inflammation and swelling in the joint or surrounding tissue.
Risk factors for gout include a diet rich in high-purine foods and being overweight, which causes the body to produce more uric acid and the kidneys to have trouble eliminating it.
Experts urge patients to seek medical attention for gout flare-ups. (iStock)
Certain conditions like untreated high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and heart and kidney diseases can increase the risk of gout, as well as certain medications.
A family history of gout can also increase risk. Men are more likely to develop the condition, as women tend to have lower uric acid levels, although symptoms generally develop after menopause.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Untreated gout can cause worsening pain and joint damage, experts caution. It may also lead to more severe conditions, such as recurrent gout, advanced gout and kidney stones.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The Mayo Clinic advises patients to seek immediate medical care if a fever occurs or if a joint becomes hot and inflamed, which is a sign of infection. Certain anti-inflammatory medications can help treat gout flares and complications.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A new study suggests that annual mammograms may not be the only effective approach for preventing breast cancer.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), tested a risk-based breast cancer screening approach against standard annual mammography.
The WISDOM randomized clinical trial, led by study authors from universities and healthcare systems across the U.S., considered more than 28,000 women aged 40 to 74 years old, splitting them into a risk-based screening group and an annual mammography group.
ERIN ANDREWS HAD ‘NO SYMPTOMS’ BEFORE CANCER DIAGNOSIS, PUSHES FOR EARLY SCREENINGS
Researchers calculated each woman’s individual risk based on genetics (sequencing of nine breast cancer genes) and other health factors.
A new study suggests that annual mammograms may not be the only effective approach for preventing breast cancer. (iStock)
Those who were at the highest risk were advised to alternate between a mammogram and an MRI scan every six months. Patients with elevated risk were told to get an annual mammography and counseling.
Average-risk women were guided to get mammograms every two years, while low-risk individuals were advised to have no screening until they became higher risk or reached age 50.
HIDDEN TYPE OF BREAST CANCER COULD BE EXPOSED BY NEW BREAKTHROUGH TECH
The researchers found that risk-based screening did not lead to more advanced cancer diagnoses (stage 2B or higher) compared with annual screening, indicating that it is just as safe as traditional methods. The risk-based approach, however, did not reduce the number of biopsies overall, as researchers had hoped.
Among the risk-based group of women, those with higher risk had more screening, biopsies and detected cancers. Women at lower risk had fewer procedures.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), tested a risk-based breast cancer screening approach against standard annual mammography. (iStock)
“[The] findings suggest that risk-based breast cancer screening is a safe alternative to annual screening for women aged 40 to 74 years,” the researchers noted in the research summary. “Screening intensity matched individual risk, potentially reducing unnecessary imaging.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Nicole Saphier, associate professor of radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey, commented that while these findings are important, the study “completely sidelines” what screenings are designed to do — detect cancer early.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“If you don’t measure stage 0, stage 1 or stage 2A cancers, you can’t tell whether personalized screening delays diagnosis in a way that matters for survival and treatment intensity,” Saphier, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Those who were at the highest risk were advised to alternate between a mammogram and an MRI scan every six months. (iStock)
More than 60% of breast cancers in the U.S. are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2A, where cure rates exceed 90%, the doctor noted.
The trial doesn’t “fully evaluate” whether risk-based screening changes detection at the earliest and most treatable stages, where screening “delivers its greatest benefit,” according to Saphier.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Mammography is not without risk — radiation exposure, false positives, anxiety and potential over-diagnosis are real and should be acknowledged,” she said. “But it remains the most effective, evidence-based tool for detecting breast cancer early, when treatment is most successful.”
The expert added that labeling women under 50 as “low risk” is “outdated,” as breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise in younger females.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Until long-term mortality data support alternative approaches, annual screening beginning at 40 for average risk women should continue,” Saphier added. “Women should be assessed for breast cancer risk by 25 years old to determine if screening should begin earlier.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Washington, DC – Medical victim Chloe Cole was at the center of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Thursday announcement of proposed regulatory actions to end “sex-rejecting procedures” on minors.
The proposed regulatory actions by the HHS are part of President Donald Trump‘s January executive order calling on the department to protect children from “chemical and surgical mutilation.”
The department is rolling out a series of policy updates and regulatory actions that would effectively defund hospitals that provide gender transition procedures, according to an HHS official.
NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS IDENTIFYING AS TRANSGENDER PLUNGES BY NEARLY HALF IN TWO YEARS
Cole, now 21 years old, went through the process of medical transition from female to male between the ages of 12 and 16.
The California native took to the stage alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials Thursday to advocate for the protection of children. Afterward, she told Fox News Digital the puberty blockers, testosterone injections and double mastectomy she endured have irreversibly and permanently affected her health.
Detransitioner Chloe Cole joined HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday as he announced proposed regulations ending gender treatments for children. (Fox News Digital)
“As soon as gender was in the picture, none of my doctors or psychologists asked the real questions that they should have,” said Cole. “The entire focus was on my feelings and what I wanted rather than what I really needed in that moment.”
What she needed, Cole said, was to be loved and affirmed for the way God created her — “as a young and yet tomboyish little girl.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
She maintained that her doctors neglected to share risks, only touting the “benefits” of stopping female puberty and using testosterone to promote body hair growth, musculature and different fat distribution.
“There was nothing they could say to me that would make me understand the gravity of what I was about to go through, because I was still growing up,” said Cole. “I had very little experience in the world, and I simply would not be mature enough to be equipped to undergo such a life-changing procedure in every way.”
“I had very little experience in the world, and I simply would not be mature enough to be equipped to undergo such a life-changing procedure in every way,” Cole, pictured above in both pictures, told Fox News Digital. (Chloe Cole; Fox News Digital)
Cole noted that her parents never thought she was transgender, but felt like the odds were stacked against them.
“At the time when we started going through this as a family, there really were no resources that would speak to the reality of transgenderism, especially for children,” she said. “Most people were not aware then that this was something that was even happening in our hospital systems.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Cole said her parents were warned that if they did not allow her to transition, she would likely commit suicide.
“My legal guardians were forced to make this decision under duress,” she shared in a previous statement. “But even if my parents had supported transitioning medically from the start, no parent or any adult, ultimately, has a right to determine whether a child gets to be chemically sterilized or mutilated.”
“While there are only two sexes, there’s a million different ways that you can be yourself,” said Cole, pictured above during her surgeries. (Chloe Cole)
Cole said she’s suffered numerous complications from her medications and surgery. “My quality of life is still being impacted to this day,” she wrote in her statement.
Her fertility status now remains unknown, she said. She will not be able to breastfeed because her breasts were surgically removed.
“As an adult, I am now grieving, and on top of that, the areolar skin grafts they used in my surgery began to fail two years afterward. I must wear bandages on my chest every day,” Cole wrote.
“As an adult, I am now grieving.”
In 2023, Cole filed a lawsuit with the Center for American Liberty (CAL) against hospitals for pushing her into what she believes is medical mutilation.
Mark Trammell of CAL told Fox News Digital that Thursday’s HHS announcement “represents a critical acknowledgment that experimental medical interventions on children with gender distress have failed to meet basic standards of safety and effectiveness.”
Cole, who detransitioned after medical procedures, is warning others to wait and seek family support before transitioning. (Fox News Digital)
“It signals that medicine must return to its core ethical obligation: First, do no harm,” Trammell added.
“We will continue fighting to ensure accountability for the institutions that promoted these practices and to secure justice for the children and detransitioners whose lives were forever altered.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
In a previous statement provided to Fox News Digital, Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said he is in favor of a “more conservative approach” for minors.
“Long-term effects of puberty blockers may include bone loss, trouble concentrating, interference with learning and interference with fertility,” he said. “I think it makes sense in most cases to treat underlying mental health concerns before jumping into treatments, including surgery, that may be difficult to reverse.”
“It makes sense in most cases to treat underlying mental health concerns before jumping into treatments.”
The doctor also emphasized that gender issues should not be overly politicized. “This means not superimposing an ideology or pushing physicians to act in a certain way or under pressure,” Siegel said.
Cole began the gender transition process at age 12 and received a double mastectomy surgery at 15 years old. (Fox News Digital)
“The welfare of the child must come first. In this case, it means going very slowly and providing support to a child or teen with gender dysphoria.”
Cole shared that she hopes any children who are questioning whether they should transition wait.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“While there are only two sexes, there are a million different ways that you can be yourself,” she added.
“God is there for you. He is the one who has created you this way, and you can seek his counsel,” Cole went on.
“You can continue praying, and I think ultimately it’s connecting with your family, building your purpose in this world, and looking to the gospel and up to God.”
Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed reporting.
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
San Francisco could vote again on whether to allow cars on the Great Highway
Dallas Stars blow out Anaheim Ducks as offense explodes for third straight win
Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami? Revisiting ex-Georgia QB’s move
MWRA’s solution to sewer overflows stirs outrage – The Boston Globe
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump administration touts ‘most secure border in history’ as 2.5 million migrants exit US
How the reparations loan for Ukraine fell apart at the eleventh hour
Trump’s push to end transgender care for young people opposed by pediatricians
Takeaways from an eventful 2025 election cycle
Judge tosses Trump-linked lawsuit targeting Chief Justice Roberts, dealing setback to Trump allies
-
Iowa5 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Iowa7 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine4 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland5 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota6 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
New Mexico3 days agoFamily clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class