Previously, I never questioned whether some supplements were harmful to one’s health, believing that they were generally beneficial. After learning that an 89-year-old retired businessman, David Mitchener, died as a result of excessive vitamin D usage, I’m left with some questions. But the question that bothers me the most is, “Can taking vitamin D supplements actually kill you?” I assumed they were meant to be good for the health. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in asking this question.
David Mitchener’s Story
In May of 2023, Mitchener was admitted to East Surrey Hospital. It was then that doctors discovered Mitchener had hypercalcaemia. Mitchener had elevated calcium levels in his blood, which is known as hypercalcaemia. High calcium levels in the blood can be caused by taking a lot of vitamin D. According to laboratory test results from before Mitchener died, his vitamin D level had reached a peak of 380.
Unfortunately, Mitchener died ten days after being brought to the hospital. An inquest was held, which revealed the exact reason for Mitchener’s death. Aside from the fact that Mitchener was vitamin D intoxicated, the coroner discovered that he died from several underlying health issues, including “congestive heart failure, chronic kidney failure, hypercalcemia, and Ischaemic Heart Disease.”
How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much?
The amount of vitamin D a person should ingest is fairly complex. However, most healthy persons are unlikely to experience negative side effects at a maximum daily dosage. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established a daily vitamin D UL of 4,000 International Units (IU).
Bear in mind that vitamin D levels in the blood and vitamin D intake on a daily basis are not the same. In Mitchener’s instance, the test report revealed that he had 380ng/L, which is just the quantity of vitamin D present in Mitchener’s bloodstream that has accumulated over time (nine months). While 4000 UL is the maximum daily recommended intake, it does not represent the entire quantity of vitamin D accumulated over time.
I’ve been racking my brain to figure out how much daily vitamin D Mitchener may have consumed. To begin with, there are two types of vitamin D supplements: D2 and D3. Ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2, can be found in supplements and foods derived from plants.
But compared to D3, it is thought to be less bioavailable, which simply means that your body won’t be able to use a large amount of the vitamin D you ingest. Conversely, vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is obtained from animal sources and some fortified foods; it is naturally synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Usually thought to be more bioavailable than D2.
Now that we have that straight, based only on the information given by the coroner—that is, that Mitchener’s blood level was 380 ng/L and that he was supplemented for nine months—it is not possible to estimate Mitchener’s precise daily consumption of vitamin D. But likely, anything above the recommended vitamin D intake per day is overdosing.
Additionally, the body’s vitamin D levels are influenced by a number of factors. These factors include the individual’s age, the kind of vitamin D supplement, the dosage form (capsules, tablets, liquids), and the individual’s baseline vitamin D levels prior to beginning supplementation.
Should I Stop Taking My Vitamin D Supplements Now?
Well, this is a very serious decision that needs to be supported by medical advice. As previously noted, a number of factors are taken into account when prescribing a vitamin D supplement, including age, body weight, food, and current vitamin D status, which will help determine dose. Therefore, in order to determine what is best for you, you should discuss this further with your doctor.
In his formal statement, Surrey Assistant Coroner Jonathan Stevens explained that Mitchener had been taking vitamin D for the nine months prior to his passing. One of the main contributing factors to Mitchener’s vitamin D intoxication was a lack of instruction. Because the drug package did not include a warning that would have highlighted the dangers of taking excessive amounts of supplements. Therefore, you should ensure that you consult a professional before using supplements.
