Vitamin D: 80 ng/mL
Elle Penner, MPH, RD
5 mins
What does a vitamin D level of 80 mean? Are there any symptoms associated with this vitamin D level?
A vitamin D level of 80 ng/mL is considered elevated. Elevated vitamin D can occur from over-supplementation of vitamin D, excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial UV light (tanning beds), and overconsumption of high vitamin D foods such as cod liver oil [1].
A level of 80 ng/mL is the lowest reported level associated with toxicity in people with normal kidney function [2]. A level at or above 80 ng/mL may put you at greater risk for developing vitamin D toxicity over time, though adverse effects are typically only observed at levels >125 ng/mL [1].
Vitamin D toxicity is usually caused by large doses of vitamin D supplements — not by diet or natural sun exposure [1]. Symptoms of toxicity include fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, excessive thirst and urination, constipation, dehydration, nausea/vomiting, muscle weakness, ringing in the ear, confusion, and heart arrhythmias.
Factors that could contribute to a vitamin D level of 80
- Over-supplementation of vitamin D
- Frequent, prolonged sun exposure (i.e. multiple hours per day most days)
- Frequent tanning bed use
- Overconsumption of high vitamin D foods such as cod liver oil
While excessive sun exposure can result in elevated vitamin D levels, it is not thought to cause toxicity because thermal activation of pre-vitamin D3 in the skin gives rise to various non-vitamin D forms that limit the formation of vitamin D3 [1]. Some vitamin D3 is also converted to inactive forms. Unlike the sun, frequent use of tanning beds, which provide artificial UV radiation, can lead to toxicity (levels >125 ng/mL).
What to do if your vitamin D level is 80?
To reduce vitamin D levels:
- If supplementing, reduce the amount and/or frequency of vitamin D you are taking, or stop supplementing altogether until levels return to the optimal range.
- Stop buying and consuming foods fortified with vitamin D as these will contribute to your overall supplementation levels.
- Stop use of tanning beds
- Avoid excessive sun exposure by spending less time in the sun and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.
References
- National Institutes of Health. (2021, March 26). Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin D. National Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
- Kennel, K. A., Drake, M. T., & Hurley, D. L. (2010). Vitamin D deficiency in adults: when to test and how to treat. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 85(8), 752–758. https://doi.org/10.4065/mcp.2010.0138
- Alshahrani, F., & Aljohani, N. (2013). Vitamin D: deficiency, sufficiency, and toxicity. Nutrients, 5(9), 3605–3616. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5093605
- Holick M. F. (2009). Vitamin D status: measurement, interpretation, and clinical application. Annals of epidemiology, 19(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2007.12.001
- Demir, M., Demir, F., & Aygun, H. (2021). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID-19 positivity and severity of the disease. Journal of medical virology, 93(5), 2992–2999. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26832
- Kayaniyil, S., Vieth, R., Retnakaran, R., Knight, J. A., Qi, Y., Gerstein, H. C., Perkins, B. A., Harris, S. B., Zinman, B., & Hanley, A. J. (2010). Association of vitamin D with insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes care, 33(6), 1379–1381. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc09-2321
- Examine.com. (2019, April). A D-fence against cancer? https://examine.com/members/deep-dives/article/a-d-fence-against-cancer/
- Yang, C. Y., Leung, P. S., Adamopoulos, I. E., & Gershwin, M. E. (2013). The implication of vitamin D and autoimmunity: a comprehensive review. Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology, 45(2), 217–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-013-8361-3
