A doctor has issued a warning about vitamin D intake after revealing it can cause hypercalcemia if instructions are not followed properly
04:02, 10 Apr 2026Updated 10:51, 10 Apr 2026
A doctor has warned against “overusing” the supplement(Image: Getty)
A doctor has issued a warning about a supplement that could potentially harm your health. The expert cautioned that consuming excessive amounts of this common vitamin could actually weaken your bones.
Many people depend on dietary supplements to meet their daily vitamin and mineral requirements. While a nutritious, balanced diet should provide all the nutrients your body needs, supplements can sometimes be necessary to address nutritional gaps.
This is particularly relevant for vitamin D, which our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. Consequently, the NHS recommends taking it as a supplement during autumn and winter when daylight hours are limited.
This essential vitamin regulates calcium and phosphate levels in the body, both crucial for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles. A deficiency can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and skeletal pain from osteomalacia in adults.
However, like all supplements, there are important warnings to consider. In a video shared on TikTok, Doctor Suraj Kukadia warned against the “overuse” of vitamin D supplements.
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This could actually cause damage to your bones. “This is a really important warning about the overuse of vitamin D supplements,” he said.
“So vitamin D, because it causes the reabsorption of calcium, if you take too much vitamin D, you can get hypercalcemia. Now this means really high calcium levels in the blood, which is bad.
“So this is bad because it can cause a paradoxical weakening of bones. It can also cause damage to your heart and kidneys.”
He advised that unless you have received “explicit instructions” from a doctor or medical professional who is familiar with your condition, you should adhere to NHS guidelines regarding vitamin D intake.
You should always follow the official guidance or your GP’s advice when it comes to taking supplements(Image: Getty)
NHS advice
Dr Kukadia’s caution is supported by official NHS guidance. The health authority states on its website: “Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.”
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 10 micrograms (mcg) – or 40 IU. Consuming more than 100mcg daily could prove “harmful”.
The NHS adds: “If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.
Taking too much vitamin D could lead to hypercalcemia(Image: Getty)
“This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.” Children between one and 10 years shouldn’t go beyond 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) daily.
Infants under 12 months shouldn’t receive more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) per day. Beyond this, certain individuals have medical conditions which mean they may not be able to safely handle such amounts. “If in doubt, you should consult your doctor,” the NHS advises. “If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.”
It is impossible to overdose on vitamin D through sun exposure alone. That said, you should always protect or cover your skin during prolonged periods outdoors to minimise the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
A number of foods also serve as a source of vitamin D. These include:
Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, trout, herring or mackerelRed meatEgg yolksFortified foods – including certain fat spreads and breakfast cerealsLiver (avoid liver if you’re pregnant – find out about foods to avoid in pregnancy)
For more information, visit the NHS website here.