By Nigerian Lady Battles Kidney Failure After Overdosing on Vitamin C Supplement for Glowing Skin
A 28-year-old Nigerian woman is currently fighting for her life after suffering from kidney failure caused by an overdose of vitamin C and other skin-enhancing supplements.
The case, shared by medical professional @drbelswellness on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the growing issue of kidney-related ailments among young individuals due to the misuse of dietary supplements.
The woman, who had no prior medical history of smoking, hypertension, or diabetes, suddenly found her kidney function deteriorating at an alarming rate.
Medical tests revealed the cause: she had developed kidney stones, which led to severe infections and a condition called hydronephrosis, where urine accumulates in the kidneys due to a blockage.
Despite receiving extensive treatment, her health continued to decline, and she eventually required a kidney transplant. In a fortunate turn, her sister was a compatible donor, offering one of her kidneys in a bid to save her sibling’s life.
The post reads, “We had a young 28-year-old woman who was experiencing kidney failure. She did not smoke, nor was she hypertensive or diabetic. So, what was causing this young lady to have kidney failure? She had some kidney stones that caused pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis.
“We commenced treatment, but it kept degenerating quickly, much to our surprise. She soon reached the point where she needed a kidney transplant. This young girl’s life was slowly slipping away. They looked for a donor, and her sister was a match. With consent, we quickly arranged for the transplant to be done and hoped for the best.
“The transplant of her sister’s kidney was successful, and when an analysis of the kidneys was done, it turned out that there were lots of oxalates embedded everywhere in both kidneys.
“When she returned, we tried to find what had caused this, to prevent it from recurring. But all our inquiries were not fruitful, until we asked a seemingly harmless question: Were you using Vitamin C supplements regularly? It turned out she was. How much she was taking? She took it as a pill, it was mixed with Glutathione powder which she drank, and she also regularly took infusions—all to have glowing skin.
“She even kept on taking it while we were battling to save her kidneys. This was why it progressed quickly. Her sister was left with one kidney because of this, but it could have turned out much worse. She almost lost her life. We see similar cases of those who don’t make it out alive.
“Now the world is raving about skincare and investing heavily in supplements. Vitamin C can make you glow, but taking more than 2,000 mg a day can damage your kidneys! We are seeing rising cases of kidney issues among young people, and this is one of the reasons for it.
“How would her sister feel to know she has only one kidney because of an avoidable mistake? It’s no one’s fault because she was not informed! Let’s help spread the awareness: Supplements can kill if not used the right way.”
