title: [Vitamins and metals: possible hazards for humans].
abstract: Administration of vitamins or metals may cause severe side effects. Retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) used for the treatment of various skin disorders are teratogenic, hepatotoxic and may induce a substantial increase in serum lipids. A case report demonstrates that vitamin D supplementation in a patient under total parenteral nutrition can cause hypercalcemia. The isolated administration of vitamin B1, without concomitant vitamin B6 and nicotinamide may precipitate potentially life-threatening pellagra encephalopathy. Repeat blood transfusions may produce clinically overt organ hemosiderosis, e.g. cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus or myocardiopathy. The literature contains reports on a few cases of sarcoma associated with orthopedic metal implants. The controversial issue of the potential dangers of dental amalgams is briefly mentioned.
authors.affiliation: Departement Innere Medizin, Universität Bern, Inselspital Bern.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Ballmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007501:Iron / Q000009:adverse effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D013723:Teratogens; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000009:adverse effects; D014815:Vitamins / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012176:Retinoids; D013723:Teratogens; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D007501:Iron
vernacular_title: Vitamine und Metalle: mögliche Gefahren für den Menschen.