<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin D was used along with vitamin C and zinc as a preventive and curative therapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vitamin D toxicity, even if it is rare, occurs when serum concentrations exceed 150 ng/mL and is usually manifested by hypercalcemia phenomena.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Case report</h3>
<p>We hereby report a case of two twin sisters who self-medicated with vitamin D in a dose of 4 × 4,000 IU/day for almost 10 months as a method of ‘protection’ against COVID-19, influenced by mass media advertising. The patients presented to the emergency department with hypervitaminosis D-related symptoms such as hypertension, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diffuse abdominal pain. Laboratory investigations revealed high levels of vitamin D and calcium.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>Vitamin D toxicity can lead to difficulties in positive and differential diagnosis because of the multiple complications of hypercalcemia.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin D was used along with vitamin C and zinc as a preventive and curative therapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vitamin D toxicity, even if it is rare, occurs when serum concentrations exceed 150 ng/mL and is usually manifested by hypercalcemia phenomena.

Case report
We hereby report a case of two twin sisters who self-medicated with vitamin D in a dose of 4 × 4,000 IU/day for almost 10 months as a method of ‘protection’ against COVID-19, influenced by mass media advertising. The patients presented to the emergency department with hypervitaminosis D-related symptoms such as hypertension, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diffuse abdominal pain. Laboratory investigations revealed high levels of vitamin D and calcium.

Conclusions
Vitamin D toxicity can lead to difficulties in positive and differential diagnosis because of the multiple complications of hypercalcemia.

Vitamin D Toxicity Due to Self-Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic – a Case Report

“George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology

Journal of Interdisciplinary Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin D was used along with vitamin C and zinc as a preventive and curative therapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection....

Vitamin D Toxicity Due to Self-Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic – a Case Report

Published Online: Sep 21, 2023

Page range: 11 - 15

Received: Feb 28, 2023

Accepted: Mar 27, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jim-2023-0003

Keywords
vitamin D toxicity, hypercalcemia, SARS-CoV-2, self-medication

© 2023 Maria Gabriela Rezmuves et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Vitamin D Toxicity Due to Self-Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic – a Case Report

Published Online: Sep 21, 2023

Page range: 11 - 15

Received: Feb 28, 2023

Accepted: Mar 27, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jim-2023-0003

Keywordsvitamin D toxicity, hypercalcemia, SARS-CoV-2, self-medication

© 2023 Maria Gabriela Rezmuves et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
vitamin D toxicity, hypercalcemia, SARS-CoV-2, self-medication