PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain – Son Espases Hospital in Palma de Mallorca has reported an alarming increase in vitamin D poisoning cases, with healthcare professionals warning of the dangers of unsupervised supplement use following advice from social media and podcasts. The hospital’s Clinical Analysis Laboratory documented approximately 100 cases of vitamin D overdose in 2024, including several severe instances requiring hospitalization.
The surge in cases has prompted urgent warnings from medical staff about the risks of self-medication with fat-soluble vitamins. Several patients presented with hypercalcemia and acute kidney failure, conditions that required intensive medical intervention at the Balearic Islands’ primary referral hospital.
“It is a fat-soluble vitamin, which accumulates in the body’s fatty tissue and is not easily eliminated. If taken in excess, it can cause poisoning,” explained endocrinologist Mercedes Codina and laboratory analyst Cristina Gómez in a joint statement.
Young Athletes Most Affected by Supplement Overdoses
Healthcare professionals identified young people and athletes as the demographic most severely affected by vitamin D toxicity. Many of these patients had been taking high-dose supplements based on recommendations found on social media platforms or health podcasts, without proper medical supervision.
“Unlike vitamins C or B, the body does not rid itself of excess vitamin D,” said Maria Pastor, a specialist in Hormones and Vitamins at the Son Espases laboratory. This characteristic makes vitamin D particularly dangerous when consumed in excessive amounts.
The hospital, which serves as the reference medical center for approximately 1.1 million residents of the Balearic Islands, has seen cases ranging from mild toxicity to life-threatening conditions. Some patients required hemodialysis due to kidney failure caused by severe hypercalcemia.
Medical Experts Warn of Social Media Influence
The rise in vitamin D poisoning cases coincides with increased promotion of supplements on social media platforms and health-focused podcasts. Athletes, particularly those engaged in indoor sports or seeking performance enhancement, appear especially vulnerable to misinformation about vitamin supplementation.
Research indicates that while vitamin D deficiency is common among athletes, with studies showing up to 82% of elite Spanish athletes having suboptimal levels, excessive supplementation without medical monitoring poses serious health risks. The recommended daily intake for adults is typically 600-800 International Units (IU), yet some overdose cases involved patients taking 50,000 IU or more daily.
Patients with hypercalcemia should be carefully assessed and evaluated for vitamin D use rather than drug use because families do not consider vitamins as drugs,” warned medical experts familiar with toxicity cases.
Symptoms and Long-Term Health Consequences
Vitamin D toxicity manifests through various symptoms including confusion, apathy, recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, polyuria, polydipsia, and dehydration. The condition develops when serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations exceed 150 ng/ml, far above the normal range of 30-50 ng/ml.
The primary mechanism of toxicity involves hypercalcemia, which can weaken bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with heart and brain function. In severe cases, patients may experience cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and permanent kidney damage.
“Confusion, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, vomiting, and muscle weakness are symptoms of acute poisoning and are related to hypercalcemia,” according to published medical literature on vitamin D toxicity. Chronic poisoning can lead to nephrocalcinosis, bone demineralization, and persistent pain.
Treatment Challenges and Medical Interventions
Treatment of vitamin D toxicity presents significant challenges for emergency departments. Management typically involves immediate cessation of vitamin D supplements, implementation of a low-calcium diet, intravenous hydration, and administration of loop diuretics and glucocorticoids.
In severe cases, bisphosphonates may be necessary to reduce calcium levels. Some patients at Son Espases required extended hospitalization and ongoing monitoring, as vitamin D stored in fatty tissues continues to release into the bloodstream even after supplementation stops.
“Patients with fat-soluble and stored vitamin toxicity may require long-term follow-up, treatment, and dialysis,” medical experts noted, emphasizing the prolonged nature of recovery from severe vitamin D overdose.
Public Health Response and Prevention Measures
The spike in cases has prompted calls for increased public education about the risks of unsupervised vitamin supplementation. Healthcare professionals emphasize that vitamin D supplements should only be taken under medical supervision, with regular monitoring of blood levels.
The Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine has been working to establish clearer guidelines for vitamin D testing and supplementation. Experts recommend that athletes and individuals considering vitamin D supplements first undergo blood testing to determine their actual needs.
Many individuals regularly consume substantial amounts of vitamins and supplements, often assuming they are safe due to their over-the-counter availability,” health officials warned. Poison control centers across Spain receive thousands of calls yearly related to vitamin overdoses.
Son Espases Hospital continues to monitor the situation closely while developing protocols to better identify and treat vitamin D toxicity cases. Medical staff urge the public to consult healthcare providers before beginning any supplement regimen, particularly high-dose vitamin D preparations promoted on social media platforms.
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Vitamin D Gummies. Photo by Your Best Digs, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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