RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hypercalcemia and vitamin A: A vitamin to keep in mind
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 99
OP 105
DO 10.3949/ccjm.89a.21056
VO 89
IS 2
A1 Saif Munther Borgan
A1 Leila Zeinab Khan
A1 Vinni Makin
YR 2022
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/89/2/99.abstract
AB Vitamin A, like many things in life, should be consumed in appropriate amounts. Excessive intake of preformed vitamin A, such as that found in supplements and animal sources (animal liver, fish liver oil, dairy, and eggs), is associated with multisystem effects that can include bone resorption and hypercalcemia. Hence, vitamin A toxicity should be explored in unexplained cases of parathyroid hormone-independent hypercalcemia. Serum retinol levels can be helpful in the diagnosis, but the results must be interpreted with caution since they do not always reflect total body levels. Treatment involves supportive care and withdrawal of vitamin A sources, especially preformed ones. Given the long half-life of retinol, normalization of serum levels can take several months.