RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Risks of the ‘Sunshine pill’ – a case of hypervitaminosis D
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 311
OP 313
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-4-311
VO 18
IS 4
A1 Sebastien Ellis
A1 Georgios Tsiopanis
A1 Tanuj Lad
YR 2018
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/18/4/311.abstract
AB Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium homeostasis and bone health. Vitamin D toxicity or hypervitaminosis D is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 73-year-old man who presented with life-threatening hypervitaminosis D and hypercalcaemia resulting from self-medicated doses of vitamin D supplements. This case, alongside other global case reports, highlights the potential dangers of unlicensed vitamin D replacement. We discuss the evidence for vitamin D replacement and remind readers of the current guidance on daily intake and supplementation.