Although the acute toxic dose for vitamin C has not been determined, the chronic toxic dose is more than 2 g/day. The effects of vitamin C toxicity can include the following:
Renal colic (ie, nephrolithiasis)
Diarrhea
Nausea
Rebound scurvy (in infants born to women taking high doses)
Hemolysis (if glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is present)
Dental decalcification
Increased estrogen levels
Occult rectal bleeding
Although high vitamin C intake does not appear to cause excess iron absorption in healthy individuals, chronic consumption of high doses of vitamin C may result in tissue damage due to iron overload in those with hereditary hemochromatosis.
Patients with suspected vitamin C toxicity should undergo urinalysis, renal function testing, and serum iron level assessment. If potentially lethal co-ingestions are present, perform gastric lavage if the patient presents within 1 hour postingestion. Always check whether the vitamin overdose included iron supplements and manage such an overdose aggressively.
Read more about the workup of vitamin toxicity.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Romesh Khardori. Fast Five Quiz: Vitamin C - Medscape - Jun 24, 2021.
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