Vitamin A Toxicity: When One a Day Doesn't Keep the Doctor Away
January 2006
in “
Liver transplantation
”
Studysummary This case report describes a 60-year-old male with vitamin A toxicity leading to severe liver disease and symptoms that resolved following liver transplantation, suggesting transplantation as a treatment option for noncirrhotic portal hypertension when symptoms do not improve after stopping vitamin A.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document reported a case of a 60-year-old man who developed severe liver injury due to subacute vitamin A toxicity, leading to liver transplantation. The patient had been consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A, far exceeding the recommended daily value, which resulted in symptoms such as muscle soreness, hair loss, skin rash, and nail dystrophy. Despite discontinuing the supplements, his condition worsened, leading to refractory ascites, severe encephalopathy, and renal failure. A liver biopsy revealed significant liver damage compatible with hypervitaminosis A. The patient underwent a successful liver transplant and made a remarkable recovery. This case highlighted the potential severity of vitamin A toxicity and suggested that liver transplantation could be a viable option when hepatic decompensation occurs despite stopping the toxic medication.
