A Systemic-Like Disease: Chronic Vitamin A Poisoning
January 1986
in “
PubMed
”
Studysummary This case study reports that prolonged high-dose vitamin A intake led to multiple adverse health effects in a young man, which mostly resolved after stopping the supplement, although liver changes persisted.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 22-year-old man ingested over 300 million I.U. of vitamin A over 2 years, leading to symptoms like diffuse arthralgia, weight loss, low-grade fever, skin dryness and peeling, hair loss, liver enlargement with ascites, and pleural effusion. Despite normal plasma levels of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein, he had raised E.S.R., hypercalcemia, and acute renal failure. Symptoms resolved after stopping vitamin A, except for liver enlargement. Biopsies showed high liver vitamin A levels, cortical bone thickening, and liver fibrosis development.
