Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
11.2K
Hyper Vitaminosis D: Are we Overprescribing Vitamin D?
R Hemachandar1, Lokesh Shanmugam2, Balakrishna Malepati2
1Department of Nephrology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India.
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|February 7, 2015
Summary
Vitamin D supplements can cause toxicity, leading to hypercalcemia and kidney injury. Clinicians must monitor patients receiving high doses of vitamin D and calcium.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Vitamin D, increasingly recognized as a hormone, plays a crucial role in numerous physiological functions.
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to various health issues, including bone diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer.
Observation:
- A surge in empirical vitamin D prescription for diverse conditions without verifying deficiency or monitoring treatment.
- A case report detailing iatrogenic hypercalcemia and acute kidney injury resulting from excessive vitamin D and calcium supplementation.
Findings:
- Overzealous empirical use of vitamin D and calcium supplements can lead to severe adverse effects.
- Vitamin D toxicity can manifest as hypercalcemia and acute kidney injury.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical need for careful patient monitoring when administering high-dose vitamin D.
- Reminds clinicians of the potential dangers of unmonitored, empirical vitamin D supplementation.
- Emphasizes the importance of verifying vitamin D deficiency before initiating treatment and monitoring therapeutic response.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
9.1K
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
9.1K
01:30Vitamins
3.2K
Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced...
3.2K
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
350
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
350
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
6.1K
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
6.1K
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
375
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
375
01:11Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
626
In patients with renal impairment, drugs undergo significant changes in their pharmacokinetics, which require dosage adjustments to ensure safe and effective therapy.
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
626