Study shows how vitamin D poisoning can lead to serious health problems in people with cystic fibrosis
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousA new study shows how accidental vitamin D poisoning can appear in people with cystic fibrosis due to medication errors by pharmacists and can lead to serious health problems.
Many cystic fibrosis patients are prone to developing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - in effect, the pancreas cannot produce digestive enzymes that break down food in the intestine.
Read also: Don't overdo the vitamin D! Excess can create intoxication
This condition is the result of low levels of certain nutrients and vitamins including D, which plays a vital role in bone and tooth health (low levels of vitamin D in the body can contribute to bone fragility and osteoporosis). To avoid this risk, cystic fibrosis patients are often prescribed dietary supplements which, however, in too high dosages, cause even more damage.
A new Belgian study has tried to shed light on the connection between high intake of this vitamin and health risks. To conduct this study, the scientists drew on blood tests from 244 fibrosis patients over a 10-year period, from 2009 to 2019.
The main symptoms of a excess vitamin D in the blood Excessive calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) were found in these patients, the antechamber of more serious problems with bones, tissues, heart and kidneys. Once the wrong medical treatment was stopped, blood calcium levels quickly returned to normal, and other symptoms disappeared.
“Our study shows that a large number of cases of vitamin D 'overdose' it is attributable to incorrect dosages prescribed by doctors and pharmacists, ”the researchers write. “However, information on vitamin D toxicity is scarce even in patients who have taken high doses. In general, the danger of these assumptions would result from a prolonged and constant use of supplements not suitable for subjects. Fortunately, the clinical complications of these assumptions remain a rare event. "
To avoid further dosing errors in the future, each pharmacy has been made aware of the complications of overdosing, and national guidelines for the preparation and sale of supplements have been issued.
Source: Nature
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