Hypervitaminosis A

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Hypervitaminosis A
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Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Nausea, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, skin peeling
Complications	Liver damage, osteoporosis, birth defects
Onset	Acute or chronic
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Excessive intake of Vitamin A
Risks	Pregnancy, liver disease, alcoholism
Diagnosis	Blood test, liver function test
Differential diagnosis	Hypercalcemia, pseudotumor cerebri
Prevention	Avoid excessive Vitamin A supplements
Treatment	Discontinuation of Vitamin A
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

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Vitamin A supplements, a common cause of Hypervitaminosis A.

Hypervitaminosis A refers to abnormally high storage levels of vitamin A in the body, leading to toxicity. This condition can cause a range of symptoms including headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In severe cases, it can also lead to birth defects.

Causes

The primary cause of Hypervitaminosis A is the excessive intake of vitamin A, either through diet or more commonly through overuse of supplements.

Dietary Sources

File:Jason's Common Life in Spring Festival (Chinese New Year's Day Festival) - Supplements - foods and interesting items-2.jpg

Foods rich in Vitamin A.

High intake of foods rich in vitamin A, such as liver, can contribute to elevated levels, though this is less common than supplement-induced toxicity.

Supplements

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A bottle of Vitamin A supplements.

Overuse of vitamin A supplements is the most common cause of Hypervitaminosis A.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include:

• Chronic symptoms: Liver damage, vision changes, osteoporosis, and skin changes
• Acute symptoms: Headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves a review of dietary and supplement intake, blood tests to measure vitamin A levels, and assessment of symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on discontinuing excess vitamin A intake. In severe cases, medical intervention may be necessary.

Prevention

Prevention involves:

• Adhering to recommended dietary allowances for vitamin A
• Avoiding large doses of vitamin A supplements
• Being aware of vitamin A content in prescribed medications

External Links

• Mayo Clinic - Vitamin A
• NIH - Vitamin A Fact Sheet for Health Professionals