Vitamin A

Vitamin A — dosage, safety & deals FAQ

How much Vitamin A do you need per day?

The RDA is 900 mcg RAE for adult men and 700 mcg RAE for adult women. Pregnancy (19-50) is 770 mcg RAE and lactation (19-50) is 1,300 mcg RAE. Children range from 300 mcg RAE (ages 1-3) to 600 mcg RAE (ages 9-13). Infants have an AI of 400-500 mcg RAE. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Can you take too much Vitamin A?

Yes. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for preformed vitamin A is 3,000 mcg for adults 19+. Acute toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) can cause severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, and in severe cases coma and death. Chronic excess can cause dry skin, painful muscles and joints, fatigue, and abnormal liver tests. High doses can cause birth defects. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

What are the signs of Vitamin A deficiency?

The most common clinical sign is xerophthalmia. The first sign is night blindness, the inability to see in low light. Xerophthalmia also affects the cornea and can eventually lead to permanent blindness. Chronic deficiency is also associated with abnormal lung development, respiratory diseases, increased risk of anemia, and greater severity of infections. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Who is most likely to need more Vitamin A?

Groups most likely to have inadequate intakes are premature infants; infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women in low-income and middle-income countries; people with cystic fibrosis; and individuals with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.