HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Are Weakness, Anxiety, Breathing Difficulty And Panic Attack Symptoms Of Vitamin D Toxicity?

default
Posted on Fri, 11 Sep 2015
Question: Hi Doc,
Jus to brief out m a person with low vitamin D which was jus 7.5 a year back,after treatment I was able to bring that up. However recently 3 weeks back I felt weak and tired and I thot my Vit D would have dropped and I took calciferol XXXXXXX which has 60000 iu of vitamin D from that time m suffering with weakness,anxiety . Shortness or breath, discomfort in my chest,panic attack. And I have the blood test for Vit D an noticed that it was 343nmol/L which is high the range is till 250
. How can I flush out Vit D from my body? Since it's now 3 weeks over would the symptoms still there? How long it takes to flush out Vit D naturally. Any serious steps I should take?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Suspecting an underlying anxiety condition

Detailed Answer:
as I can understand here your major concern is of suffering form hypervitaminosis D( Vitamin D toxicity).

It is relevant to understand that the symptoms of acute vitamin D toxicity are such as vomiting, nausea, dehydration, constipation, irritability etc, and the symptoms should necessarily begin after the vitamin overdose.
In your case the symptoms that you have mentioned, are unlikely to suggest a vitamin D toxicity. Moreover you have mentioned that fatiguability, weakness had persisted even before the overdose event. This makes the possibility of vitamin toxicity less likely.

Secondly, it is important to consider that vitamin toxicity occurs when a large excess of doses are consumed over a long period of time. A single dose of 60000 IU is extremely unlikely to produce toxicity.

Thirdly and most importantly, if it was a vitamin overdose the vitamin levels would had been abnormally high. In your case the vit d levels are normal.

Therefore it is safe to exclude the condition of vitamin D toxicity.

Now coming to the problem.
I suspect an underlying anxiety related condition, such as panic episodes, mixed anxiety depressive condition, etc.
The problems of anxiety, weakness, shortness of breath, etc are explainable by it.
In view of this, my advice to you is
1) Do not worry as you are unlikely to be suffering form vitamin D toxicity.
2) Consult a local physician to reconfirm and clarify about your query.
3) Most important. Do consult a local psychiatrist as a detailed work up of your complaints and history is needed.
NOTE: A timely consultation can cure a condition and prevent future complications.

For any future queries kindly revert back here.
Hope you find my suggestions helpful.
Regards,
Dr Pankaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (1 hour later)
Where did I mention that I had fatigue and weakness before the overdose event

And I clearly specifie the range of vitamin d levels and mine is 343 where as the normal range is till 250which means m toxic and the lab report says anything >250 is potential toxicity.
I started getting this anxiety after taking the XXXXXXX calciferol. And I've noticed if I eat milk products or anything high in calcium my weakness and anxiety increases.
My question is how to flush out excess vitamin d from our body
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
check serum calcium levels urgently and consult a nearby physician

Detailed Answer:
Sir, I apologise if i misunderstood your complaints. Your description of “However recently 3 weeks back I felt weak and tired and I thot my Vit D would have dropped and I took calciferol XXXXXXX which has 60000 iu of vitamin D…” implied to me that the symptom of weakness and fatigue were present even before the vit D dose was consumed. If the symptom begun after the intake, then my suggestion would differ.
Secondly, yes, 343nmol/L levels of vitamin D is in excess of 250 nmol/l However the toxic range of vitamin D is upto 300 to 350 nmol/L. Your reading does fall in the this range, however it is expected to be that high especially after dose of 60000 IU of Vit D.
Thirdly, there is a distinction between a high level of Vit D and a clinical toxic state. The vitamin D toxicity is due to hypercalcemia, that results due to excessive calcium absorption and accumulation in blood.
Now, considering the acute onset of symptoms after the excess dose consumption, high levels of vitamin D, a condition of hypervitaminosis D is suspected, it is suggestible to undergo the investigations of
serum calcium levels, urine calcium levels, serum phosphorus levels, ECG. It will help us to establish hypercalcemia if present.
Depending upon the readings one can decide the further course of management. It may take couple of weeks to month for vitamin D level to come to normal. There is no way to cut short the time or rapidly flush the levels of vitamin form body as it gets stored in fat tissue of the body.
The important part is to manage the hypercalcemia if there is any(investigations will help to find out).
Monitoring the levels of serum calcium and vitamin D is crucial.
It is advisable to reduce calcium intake and avoid food that is high in calcium content until vitamin levels gets restored.
It is strongly advised to consult a local physician, as there warrants proper systemic examination and work up, and also undergo the investigation to find out calcium status and manage it urgently if needed. A dietician can be approached to know about diet that is restricted in calcium content.

Regards,
Dr Pankaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (24 hours later)
Thanks for the reply..
Can drinking too much water flush out calcium ??
Also another question wat is the normal ferritin values should be for a man to stay healthy, my ferritin levels is 40 and my Haemoglobin is 14.. I had haemmoroids which is the cause o my low ferritin levels now look like my haemmoroids are okay and I don't bleed. So with ferritin 40 can I increase ferritin levels with food? I don want to take iron tabs . Please respond
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not recommended

Detailed Answer:
There are no standard guidelines that clearly recommend drinking water for calcium excess. Restricting the dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D is highly recommended. Besides, there is drug treatment that works on lowering the blood calcium level either through rapid redistribution of calcium within body stores and excreting calcium via urine. Drugs are only to be used only under direction of physician.
About ferritin, the normal range is from 20 to 280 mcg/L. Your ferritin and haemoglobin level happens to be normal.
Yes, haemmoroids can lower down ferritin levels, however normal Hb and stable haemmoroids should rule out any concern regarding it. No active intervention is indicated, intake of adequate green vegetables and non vegetarian food stuffs like meat, eggs and milk can help restoring the levels.

Welcome for further queries.
Wish you a good health.
Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pankaj Borade

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 571 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Are Weakness, Anxiety, Breathing Difficulty And Panic Attack Symptoms Of Vitamin D Toxicity?

Brief Answer: Suspecting an underlying anxiety condition Detailed Answer: as I can understand here your major concern is of suffering form hypervitaminosis D( Vitamin D toxicity). It is relevant to understand that the symptoms of acute vitamin D toxicity are such as vomiting, nausea, dehydration, constipation, irritability etc, and the symptoms should necessarily begin after the vitamin overdose. In your case the symptoms that you have mentioned, are unlikely to suggest a vitamin D toxicity. Moreover you have mentioned that fatiguability, weakness had persisted even before the overdose event. This makes the possibility of vitamin toxicity less likely. Secondly, it is important to consider that vitamin toxicity occurs when a large excess of doses are consumed over a long period of time. A single dose of 60000 IU is extremely unlikely to produce toxicity. Thirdly and most importantly, if it was a vitamin overdose the vitamin levels would had been abnormally high. In your case the vit d levels are normal. Therefore it is safe to exclude the condition of vitamin D toxicity. Now coming to the problem. I suspect an underlying anxiety related condition, such as panic episodes, mixed anxiety depressive condition, etc. The problems of anxiety, weakness, shortness of breath, etc are explainable by it. In view of this, my advice to you is 1) Do not worry as you are unlikely to be suffering form vitamin D toxicity. 2) Consult a local physician to reconfirm and clarify about your query. 3) Most important. Do consult a local psychiatrist as a detailed work up of your complaints and history is needed. NOTE: A timely consultation can cure a condition and prevent future complications. For any future queries kindly revert back here. Hope you find my suggestions helpful. Regards, Dr Pankaj