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Hypervitaminosis A

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Vitamin A source
Vitamin A source

Alternative Names    Return to top

Vitamin A toxicity

Definition    Return to top

Hypervitaminosis A is having too much vitamin A in the body.

Causes    Return to top

There are two types of vitamin A hypervitaminosis:

Chronic vitamin A toxicity develops after taking too much vitamin A for long periods.

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Treatment    Return to top

Treatment involves simply stopping the use of too much vitamin A.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Most people fully recover.

Possible Complications    Return to top

Recent studies show that taking too much vitamin A during pregnancy can cause abnormal development in the fetus. Talk to your health care provider about eating a proper diet while you are pregnant.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you think that you or your child may have taken too much vitamin A, or you have symptoms of excess vitamin A.

Prevention    Return to top

To avoid hypervitaminosis A, avoid taking more than the recommended daily allowance of this vitamin. Recent emphasis on vitamin A and beta carotene as anti-cancer vitamins may contribute to chronic hypervitaminosis A, if people take more than is recommended.

References    Return to top

Zile M. Vitamin A Deficiencies and Excess. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Kliegman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 45.

Update Date: 6/17/2008

Updated by: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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