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Hypervitaminosis A or excess of vitamin A in the body can cause, among other things, the following symptoms:
- Hair loss.
- Dry skin.
- Joint weakness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Blurred vision.
- Irritability.
- Drowsiness.
- Chapped lips.
- Headaches.
- Hypercalcemia.
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
As a measure to restore normal levels, it would be appropriate to stop taking any product that provides vitamin A or even limit certain foods.
Index
How to Know if You Have High Levels of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a vitamin found in foods, and it is fat-soluble (absorbed in a fatty medium) and stored in the body in the liver.
The fact that it is stored in the body combined with high intake can lead to excess.
There are two types of vitamin A:
- Preformed Vitamin A, found in foods such as liver, eggs, dairy products, or oily fish.
- Provitamin A carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A in the body, with main sources being vegetables, fruits, and vegetables (mainly orange-coloured), the most characteristic being beta-carotene.
An excess of this vitamin could cause some of these symptoms:
- Anaemia.
- Bone and muscle pain.
- Diarrhoea.
- Double vision.
- Hair loss.
- Muscle coordination problems (ataxia).
- Enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
Important: if you smoke, recent research has shown that using beta-carotene products is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.
If you suffer from any of the described symptoms chronically, you may consult your doctor to confirm it through blood tests to check the levels in your blood, as well as asking about your diet and product use.
| Serum Levels | Values (mcg/dl) |
| Low | < 20 |
| Normal | 20-60 |
| High | > 60 |
Causes of Excess Vitamin A
- Excessive supplementation: Not following the usage instructions of food supplements and consuming large amounts of the product.
- Acute intoxication: Hypervitaminosis caused by consuming large quantities in a short period.
- Chronic intoxication: Hypervitaminosis resulting from consuming large quantities (> 25,000 IU per day) over a prolonged period.
- Lack of coordination in the consumption of supplements and certain medications: Co-ingesting products that are sources of vitamin A, leading to exceeding the daily dose.
How to Regulate Excess Vitamin A
The most effective way to start treating excess vitamin A is to stop consuming sources of this vitamin (such as products and foods rich in it).
By reducing or eliminating dietary sources, we should ensure we continue to maintain other nutrients properly.
Avoiding vitamin A toxicity is as important as preventing deficiency. We emphasize moderation and following the recommended daily doses when taking vitamin A supplements.
Special mention should be made to pregnant women, as consuming high amounts of vitamin A could cause birth defects.
Most people recover fully within a few weeks. In more significant conditions (such as liver or kidney damage), the doctor may apply appropriate pharmacological treatment.
Conclusion
- Although it is a rare condition, as long as the daily dose is maintained and large (and senseless) amounts of the vitamin are not consumed, we can be at ease.
- Those who have developed hypervitaminosis, upon stopping the product, can return to normal levels in around 4 weeks approximately.
- Remember the importance of maintaining nutritional balance and contacting your doctor if you experience any symptoms of hypervitaminosis A.
Bibliographic Sources
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/medical-tests/vitamin-a-blood-test
- https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/002400.htm
