Vitamin Overdose Symptoms

A vitamin overdose is more of a concern with the fat soluble vitamins - vitamin a, vitamin k and vitamin e - as these are stored in the tissues of the body.

Water soluble vitamins are excreted. Minerals can be taken in excess as they are also stored.

The individual B vitamins, if taken in excess, can lead to an imbalance with the other B vitamins. For this reason, its best to take a vitamin b complex unless you are advised otherwise. If supplementing with single B vitamins, like vitamin B6 to help with pms, take it with a vitamin B complex to minimise any imbalances caused.

What are the symptoms of a vitamin overdose?

• Vitamin A overdose:
  Blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headache, insomnia, irritability, apathy, stupor, skin rash, nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, hair loss, joint pain, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, liver damage, abnormal bone growth, damage to the nervous system

• D vitamin overdose:
  Calcium deposits, deafness, nausea, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, kidney stones, weak bones, hypertension, high cholesterol

• E vitamin overdose:
  Pulmonary embolism, hypertension, muscular weakness, severe fatigue, breast tenderness, slow wound healing

• Niacin vitamin overdose:
  Acute flushing, peptic ulcers, liver dysfunction, gout, faintness, dizziness, tingling of fingertips, arrythmias, hyperglycemia

• B6 vitamin overdose:
  Problems with sense of position and vibration, reduced tendon reflexes, numbness in hands and feet, problems walking, problems with memory, depression, headache and tiredness

• C vitamin overdose:
  Taking megadoses for too long may lead to scurvy when megadoses are discontinued, kidney stones, hot flashes, headache, insommnia and tiredness.

• Calcium overdose:
  Depresses nerve function, can cause drowsiness, calcium deposits, and kidney stones

• Iron overdose:
  Damages liver, heart, and pancreas

• Zinc overdose:
  Fixed facial expression, difficulty walking, slurred speech, hand tremor, involuntary laughter

• Cobalt overdose:
  Goiter, heart damage

• Selenium overdose:
  Nausea, vomitting, fatigue, irritability, loss of fingernails and toenails

Avoid a vitamin overdose by getting supplement advice tailored to your needs. This service is free here.

Source: Principles Of Anatomy and Physiology by Tortora and Grabowski, 7th Ed.