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.
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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.
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“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.”
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
There could be new hope on the horizon for women fighting cervical cancer.
Researchers investigated a new approach to treating the disease in a study funded by Cancer Research UK.
In a phase 3 trial, patients went through a short, six-week course of chemotherapy before starting standard chemoradiation (CRT) treatment.
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This approach was found to slash death risk by 40%, and it also reduced the likelihood of the disease returning or relapsing by 35%.
There are about 11,500 new cervical cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year and about 4,000 women die from the disease, according to the CDC. (iStock)
After five years, 80% of trial participants who received the induction chemo session followed by CRT survived, and 73% reported that their cancer had not returned or spread.
Dr. Mary McCormack, PhD, one of the trial researchers, shared with Fox News Digital that this method led to an 8% absolute improvement in survival rates at five years.
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Over the team’s decade-long research, McCormack noted that there have been some changes in standard radiation delivery.
“As this was a randomized trial, these changes, which were incorporated into the study, were taken into account and affected both arms of the trial equally,” she said.
After five years, 80% of trial participants who received the induction chemo followed by CRT survived by the five-year mark. (iStock)
Based on these findings, McCormack encouraged clinicians to offer an additional short course of chemo to their patients.
“These drugs are widely available,” she said. “The trial results should be incorporated into national and international guidelines within the next few months.”
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Dr. Brian Slomovitz, director of gynecologic oncology and co-chair of the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida, called these results “very compelling.”
“They demonstrate a significant overall survival and progression-free survival advantage in patients who suffer from this disease,” he told Fox News Digital.
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The doctor did note a few limitations, however, including that the trial was not done in a “United States-like setting.”
Based on these findings, the researchers encourage clinicians to offer an additional short course of chemo to their patients. (iStock)
“This may have led to under-performance of the control arm,” Slomovitz said. “Also, radiation techniques and the availability of therapies after progression (especially immunotherapy) have improved since this trial.”
“I am really not sure whether it’s applicable for patients in the U.S.,” he continued. “I look forward to future studies to hopefully confirm these results.”
There are about 11,500 new cervical cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year and about 4,000 women die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To prevent cervical cancer, experts recommend getting vaccinated against types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that can cause it.
The CDC also recommends that women get routine Pap smears and HPV screenings.
One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, statistics show.
The diagnosis can be shocking, scary and overwhelming, leaving the patient with a long list of questions — perhaps the first of which is, “What should I do next?”
“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ is life-changing and brings with it many emotions,” Tingting Tan, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope Newport Beach in California, told Fox News Digital.
“Know that your feelings are perfectly normal and give yourself some time.”
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Fox News Digital spoke with breast cancer experts who have helped other women navigate this tough journey, gathering their guidance about what to do in the days and weeks after the diagnosis.
“Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ is life-changing and brings with it many emotions,” a doctor said. (iStock)
1. Take a beat — and breathe
Experts agree that it’s important to give yourself time to process the news.
“It’s natural to want to rush into action, but taking some time and letting the news sink in is important,” Dr. Alyssa Middleton, a psychosocial oncologist in Louisville, Kentucky, and founder of MyCancerResources.com, told Fox News Digital.
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“Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that come with this life-altering news.”
In most cases, Middleton said, oncologists will wait several weeks to begin treatment to allow time for further testing — “so there’s no need to feel panicked about making decisions today.”
2. Write down questions and gather information
Once you’ve allowed yourself some time to process the diagnosis, it’s time to learn as much as you can from reliable sources.
“Read the information the doctor provided about the type of breast cancer you have and the stage — a number from 0-4 that describes how big the tumor is, where it is located, and how far it may have spread from the breast,” Middleton advised.
Experts recommend writing down a list of questions to ask your doctor in the days following a diagnosis. (iStock)
Next, it’s important to understand the typical treatments for your type and stage, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormone therapy.
Write down all of your questions and bring them to every doctor’s appointment, Tan advised.
“Those first appointments can be extremely emotional, and there may still be shock or disbelief,” she told Fox News Digital. “Writing your questions down will ensure you don’t forget them.”
3. Notify — and lean on — your support team
“You aren’t obligated to inform the whole world about your diagnosis,” Middleton said. “Share the news with those who you feel need to know and who will be most supportive.”
You can share as much or as little information as you like, she added. “This is your health, and you control what and how much information is shared.”
“Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that come with this life-altering news.”
Once you’ve notified your loved ones, it can be helpful to bring a friend or family member to your appointments, Tan said.
“This time can be overwhelming, and you want to be sure you understand everything your doctor is explaining,” she said.
One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. (iStock)
“Having your support system with you for an extra set of ears can be helpful if you don’t understand something or miss something.”
In your day-to-day life, it’s OK to ask for help, Tan emphasized.
“Loved ones are often ready and happy to help with preparing meals, taking kids to school, or anything and everything in between,” she said.
4. Consider a second opinion
Studies have shown that getting a second opinion after a breast cancer diagnosis can be beneficial for the patient.
“Second opinions can save lives,” Tan said.
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“Cancer is unique, and if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you want to see an expert who specializes in your exact type. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for a second opinion.”
Even if you don’t switch oncologists, seeking a second opinion can provide reassurance that you have chosen the right care team and treatment plan, Tan noted.
Studies have shown that getting a second opinion after a breast cancer diagnosis can be beneficial for the patient. (iStock)
“It is essential to do this before starting treatment, as there may be additional options that you should consider,” she said.
Another breast oncologist may have different recommendations on how to treat your breast cancer, Middleton agreed.
“If the treatment recommendation is the same, you can decide which oncologist you feel most comfortable with and move forward with them,” she said.
“If the treatment recommendation differs, you can decide which approach you prefer.”
5. Build your care team
When it comes to seeking care, it’s vital to seek experts who specialize in breast cancer, Tan said.
She recommends choosing an oncologist who practices at a cancer center that’s designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
“When breast cancer is localized – meaning it hasn’t spread outside the breast – the five-year survival rate is 99%.”
“Getting on the right treatment plan at the beginning of your journey is very important,” she said. “Physicians at academic medical centers are the most up to date on the latest treatment breakthroughs and options in the field.”
Dr. Anjeanette Brown, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon at the Premier Surgical Network in New Jersey, emphasized the importance of choosing a health care professional with the proper credentials.
Experts recommend choosing an oncologist who practices at a cancer center that’s designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). (iStock)
“This person should be your ‘quarterback,’ directing the essential steps that need to be taken for proper evaluation and imaging prior to going into surgery,” she told Fox News Digital.
It’s essential that the patient feels comfortable with her provider, Brown noted.
“This will be a long, intense relationship, dealing with emotions and physical changes that are about to happen, secondary to surgical intervention, as well as possible medical management,” she added.
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Dr. Lauren Ramsey, a breast cancer surgeon in Ft. Worth, Texas, specifically recommends seeing a breast surgeon (surgical oncologist) in a timely fashion — ideally a provider who has completed a specialized fellowship in breast surgical oncology.
“Other doctors, such as medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, may end up playing a role — however, the breast surgeon will be able to make those referrals for you,” she said.
6. Connect with others
Many women find invaluable support from other breast cancer patients and survivors.
“Online groups can be a great source of support, with others who are further along in treatment sharing their experiences and supporting you in your journey,” said Middleton.
Many women find invaluable support from other breast cancer patients and survivors. (iStock)
“If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the information that’s been thrown at you, you may want to wait a little while to do this,” she added.
7. Think about fertility
For patients who want to have children in the future, it’s important to consider this before beginning treatment, according to Middleton.
“You’ll want to meet with a fertility specialist to learn about your options and make arrangements for any procedures to be done before any breast cancer treatment starts,” she advised.
8. Focus on the good news
While a breast cancer diagnosis can seem ominous, experts agree that prognoses have improved over the decades.
“Breast cancer mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989, thanks to early detection and treatment,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“Breast cancer mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989, thanks to early detection and treatment,” Tan said.
“When breast cancer is localized – meaning it hasn’t spread outside the breast – the five-year survival rate is 99%, based on NCI data of women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2013 and 2019.”
“It’s a lot, so there is no shame in reaching out to others.”
There are also more than four million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., Tan added.
9. Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle
Exercise is recommended even with a breast cancer diagnosis, Ramsey said.
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“We recommend any form of physical activity, whether it’s light walking or a more structured exercise,” she advised. “Continue performing your usual daily activities.”
Adopting a balanced and nutrient-dense diet can also help support the body during treatment and recovery, Ramsey added.
Exercise is recommended even with a breast cancer diagnosis. (iStock)
“Focus on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats,” she said. “Avoid sugary and highly processed foods.”
10. Take care of yourself
It’s important to pay attention to your emotional, psychological and spiritual needs throughout a breast cancer journey, Tan advised.
Brown echoed the importance of self-care.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“This could include a discussion with a nutritionist, giving yourself the space to accept and adjust to the diagnosis, and finding a support group or therapist,” she said.
“It’s a lot, so there is no shame in reaching out to others.”
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