Most people know that going outside, even for 20 minutes, is an important part of everyone’s daily routine for many reasons. From improving your focus and memory to reducing inflammation, getting into the sunlight and staying active can change someone’s overall health and wellbeing. The biggest reason scientists recommend getting outside is to get your daily dose of Vitamin D, otherwise known as the “sunshine vitamin.”
While some people get appropriate vitamin D levels from exposure to sunlight and from eating foods that naturally contain vitamin D, quite a few people are deficient in vitamin D. They don’t even know that they are at risk. Low levels of this essential vitamin can be dangerous, so supplementation is a great option and is most effective when injected directly either in a muscle or given IV by a health care provider. Learn more about what vitamin D is, Vitamin D3 injection side effects, and its benefits, to determine if it’s the right option for you.
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What Is Vitamin D3?
Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a form of vitamin D. This form of vitamin D is natural, and it is produced by your body from exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is also found naturally in a variety of foods, mostly fatty fish, eggs, cheese, liver, and fortified food products. Vitamin D is essential for the body’s healthy functioning, as it is required for maintaining proper bone structure, as well as for regulating the minerals calcium and phosphorus.
In addition, Vitamin D plays a role in reducing inflammation and maintaining appropriate glucose levels. Vitamin D also supports lung function, immune and nervous system health, and regulates insulin levels in the body, so it supports the management of glucose levels (NIH, 2020).
How To Know If You Have a Vitamin D Deficiency
There are a variety of reasons that you may have a vitamin D deficiency. Whether you are lactose intolerant, eat a vegan diet, or don’t have a lot of exposure to sunlight, you may be low on the essential Vitamin D. Other causes of a vitamin D deficiency include darker skin and sunscreen use, which prevent the body from absorbing sunlight at the high levels that it needs to.
Other groups at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency include breastfed infants, who typically don’t get adequate amounts of the vitamin through human milk consumption. Older adults are also at a higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency, partly because the body’s natural ability to produce it decreases with time. People who live in areas of high pollution, or who are homebound and don’t get exposure to sunlight, are also more likely to develop a vitamin D deficiency.
There are a couple of symptoms that may indicate you have a deficiency. Bone pain and muscle weakness may be signs that you have low blood levels of vitamin D, although symptoms are oftentimes subtle or nonexistent. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to conditions such as osteomalacia, the softening of the bones, or osteoporosis, which is a common disease where the bones become porous and weaker, and at high risk of fracturing. Other symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include regular sickness or infection, fatigue and tiredness, low mood, hair loss, and impaired or slowed healing of wounds (Cleveland Clinic, 2019).
It is dangerous to leave a vitamin D deficiency untreated, as it may lead to serious conditions or other risks, including cancer, cognitive impairment, and a heightened risk of severe cardiovascular disease. It is important to boost your body’s supply of vitamin D by getting sufficient sunlight, eating foods that are rich in vitamin D, as well as oral or injectable supplementation of the vitamin. In order to determine if you have a deficiency or not, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care provider and ask them to run a blood test measuring the levels of vitamin D in your body.
Vitamin D3 Injection Side Effects
While it is true that most people do not experience any side effects when supplementing vitamin D, there are a few side effects associated with vitamin D3 injections that patients should be aware of before beginning treatment and during the injections. Before beginning treatment with vitamin D3, you should ensure that you do not have an allergy to the medication, although it is rare to have an allergic reaction (about 2.3%). If you do experience a rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue and throat, severe dizziness or trouble breathing, then you should seek medical help right away (RxList, 2020)
The most common vitamin D3 side effect is pain and discomfort around the injection site. This can be avoided by alternating the injection site, to avoid any irritation, swelling, or bruising. Other side effects of vitamin D3 injections include nausea, headache, constipation, dry mouth, loss of appetite, or upset stomach (RxList, 2020).
Vitamin D3 injection can be toxic at high doses. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are due to increased calcium levels in the blood and can include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, neurologic or psychiatric symptoms, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, increased urination, excessive thirst, and kidney stones. Therefore, your doctor will probably test your blood levels consistently throughout your treatment, in order to ensure that your vitamin D levels are reaching a normal level and not going above (NIH, 2020).
Vitamin D is essential to calcium absorption and bone metabolism, and it plays a key role in maintaining strong, healthy bones. If it is taken in excess, or in a way that is not what your doctor prescribed, it can lead to unpleasant symptoms and dangerous complications. It may even be detrimental to bone health if not used appropriately.
It is important to stay aware of how you are reacting to vitamin D treatment, and if any of the side effects of the injections persist or worsen, you should contact a doctor immediately. If it is life-threatening or an emergency, such as an allergic reaction or chest pain or difficulty breathing, you should dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility as soon as possible.
Potential vitamin D3 injection side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Growth problems (in children supplementing vitamin D)
- Poor appetite or loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Fever
- Decreased sex drive
- Mood changes
- Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat
- Dry mouth or a metallic taste
- Disorientation or dizziness
- Kidney damage
- Increase in thirst
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Sleepiness
- Edema, which is swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands
- Bone, joint, or muscle pain
Vitamin D3 Injections
While there are options to supplement vitamin D naturally through food or increased exposure to sunlight, it can also be orally ingested as a pill and injected. The most effective way to return vitamin D levels to normal is to inject the vitamin intramuscularly because it can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream and will bypass the stomach. Injections into the muscle will be gradually and evenly released into the bloodstream to be utilized by the body.
There may be some discomfort or irritation around the injection site, which is why the nurse or healthcare professional administering the shot will most likely rotate the injection site to prevent this. Injections are the fastest way to increase vitamin D levels. Injections are also a good option for those who might forget periodic supplementation through pills, and for those who have poor digestion or absorption rates.
It is typically recommended that injections are given in a series of 2 to 4. For example, you may get your initial injection and then a follow-up injection about 3 months later. Patients with more severe vitamin D deficiencies, however, may require more regular and consistent injections in order to maintain adequate levels.
It is likely that your doctor will order blood testing after your first or second injection to monitor the vitamin D levels in your body and assess if you need ongoing treatment, or if your levels stabilize, they may suggest maintenance treatment at a later point in time. Blood testing is important, as vitamin D in excess may be toxic and could pose dangers to the body. So a thorough initial check-up can help you avoid the unwanted vitamin D3 injection side effects.
Conclusion
While vitamin D3 injections are an effective way to quickly address deficiencies and bolster your body’s vitamin D levels, it’s important to be mindful of potential vitamin D3 injection side effects. These injections are particularly valuable for individuals who may not adequately absorb vitamin D from sunlight or diet alone. If you’re looking to buy vitamin D3 injectable solutions to ensure optimal health benefits while managing any associated risks effectively, consulting with healthcare professionals and choosing reputable sources like Invigor Medical is crucial. For more detailed information on vitamin D3 injections, including side effects and benefits, visiting Invigor Medical is recommended.
