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Excessive vitamin D levels may cause heart problems

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Individuals are often warned about the importance of blood testing to check for vitamin D levels to make sure they are not deficient. Low levels of the nutrient can lead to a number of potentially serious health consequences like cardiovascular complications, weakened bones and respiratory problems.

However, a new study suggests that excessively high levels of vitamin D may be just as dangerous. A team of researchers recently reported at the meeting of the American Heart Association that individuals with blood test scores showing vitamin D levels in excess of 100 ng/dl are 2.5 times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, according to American Practice News.

The researchers told the news source that vitamin D levels this high are exceedingly rare. To be sure, low levels of the nutrient are a much more common problem. However, it may be possible to reach blood levels this high by using nutritional supplements in excess. Therefore, anyone who uses these products regularly may want to have blood testing done to check their levels.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about a third of all U.S. adults have insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D, so very few people are likely at risk for this complication.