Over-supplement of vitamin D may cause delirium, abdominal distension, and muscle weakness in the elderly: A case report and literature review
2024

Vitamin D Overdose in the Elderly: A Case Report

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Ching-Hsiang Yu, Hsiang-Kuang Tseng, Ding-Kuo Chien, En-Chih Liao

Primary Institution: MacKay Medical College

Hypothesis

Over-supplementation of vitamin D may lead to serious health issues in elderly patients.

Conclusion

The patient fully recovered after treatment for vitamin D toxicity and electrolyte imbalances.

Supporting Evidence

  • Vitamin D deficiency is common among the elderly due to limited sunlight exposure.
  • Over-supplementation can lead to serious health issues like hypercalcemia.
  • The patient consumed an excessive amount of vitamin D3, leading to toxicity.
  • Immediate interventions stabilized the patient's condition and led to recovery.

Takeaway

Giving too much vitamin D can make older people very sick, but with the right treatment, they can get better.

Methodology

The case report details the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of a patient with vitamin D toxicity.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on patient self-reporting and caregiver involvement.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

A 77-year-old woman with a history of major depressive disorder and hypertension.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/MD.0000000000041057

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