Vitamin & Mineral Toxicity

Question 1

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Answer 1

Rare due to excretion in urine,

High dose intakes of 2g or higher can result in GI upset, cramping, & diarrhea

Question 2

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Answer 2

Rare, excess excreted in urine, no toxicity reported

Question 3

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Answer 3

Rare, excess excreted in urine, no toxicity reported

Question 4

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Answer 4

Rare, excess excreted in urine, no toxicity reported

Question 5

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Answer 5

Rare, excess excreted in urine, no toxicity reported

Question 6

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Answer 6

Supplementation can result in toxicity

Question 7

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Answer 7

No toxicity reported

Question 8

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Answer 8

No toxicity reported

Question 9

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Answer 9

No toxicity reported

Question 10

Vitamin A (Retinoids & Carotenoids)

Answer 10

Nausea, vomiting, 
Blurry vision, 
Anorexia, 
Dry itchy skin, coarse hair, ataxia, 
Headache, bone & muscle pain, 
Conjunctivitis
Intracranial pressure
Irritability

Question 11

Vitamin D (Calciferol)

Answer 11

Hypercalcemia,
Kidney stones,
Soft tissue calcifications

Question 12

Vitamin E (Tocopherol/ Tocotrienol)

Answer 12

Muscle weakness, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, bruising, risk of bleeding

Question 13

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone- dietary, Menaquinone- endogenous)

Answer 13

Has no UL, no toxicity

Question 14

Calcium

Answer 14

High urine Ca2+ excretion, excessive thirst, nausea, constipation, confusion, lethargy, fatigue, palpitations

Question 15

Magnesium

Answer 15

Rare (possible in persons with CKD), diarrhea, nausea, facial flush, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, respiratory distress (fluid in lungs), arrhythmia

Question 16

Potassium

Answer 16

In CKD, or use of ACE/ARB’s, β- blockers, arrhythmia, bradycardia, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, numbness & tingling

Question 17

Sodium

Answer 17

Dehydration, excess thirst, in serious cases can result in seizure, coma, death, caused by insufficient fluid intake, vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics use, excess sweating

Question 18

Chloride

Answer 18

Fluid retention, high BP, in CKD (improper elimination)

Question 19

Sulfur

Answer 19

Bloating, gas, negative impact on GI lining in IBD, skin rash,

Question 20

Phosphorus

Answer 20

Weak bones, diarrhea, calcification of muscular tissue, rare occurrent, at risk in persons with CKD

Question 21

Zinc

Answer 21

Nausea, vomiting, abd pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, change in taste (metallic), copper defic., frequent infections.

Question 22

Iron

Answer 22

Vomiting (blood), abd pain, cramps, drowsy, tachypnea, tachycardia, low BP, seizure GI bleeding, liver damage, jaundice, lethargy

Question 23

Copper

Answer 23

None

Question 24

Iodine

Answer 24

Rare occurrence, burning of the mouth and throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weak pulse, cyanosis (turning blue), coma, iodine- induced Hyperthyroidism (tachycardia, muscle weakness, warm skin, rapid weight loss)

Question 25

Selenium

Answer 25

Respi. Mucus membrane irritation, coughing, bad breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste, brittle nails and hair, tooth discoloration, fatigue, tingling sensation

Question 26

Manganese

Answer 26

Neurological disorder (Manganism), tremor, difficulty walking, facial spasm, irritability, aggressiveness, hallucinations

Question 27

Chromium

Answer 27

Rare, in cases of over- supplementation, renal and liver failure

Question 28

Fluoride

Answer 28

Nausea, vomiting, hypocalcemia (tetany, seizures)

Question 29

Molybdenum

Answer 29

Only incident recorded 1961- gout-like symptoms, GI tract abnormalities