Can Too Much Vitamin E Make You Tired? The Truth About High Doses and Fatigue

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

While vitamin E is crucial for health, high supplemental doses can indeed cause adverse effects, including fatigue. This side effect is a key indicator of hypervitaminosis E, raising the question: can too much vitamin E make you tired, and what are the risks?

Quick Summary

Excessive intake of vitamin E, primarily from high-dose supplements, can lead to side effects like fatigue, nausea, and an increased risk of bleeding. Understanding safe intake levels is vital.

Key Points

Fatigue is a potential symptom of vitamin E toxicity, which occurs from excessive intake, most often from high-dose supplements.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 1,000 mg/day (1,100 IU synthetic), and supplements containing high amounts carry the greatest risk.
A major risk of excess vitamin E is increased bleeding, which can be dangerous, especially for those on anticoagulant medications.
Vitamin E deficiency can also cause fatigue, but the underlying cause is different (impaired fat absorption vs. supplement overdose).
Treatment for toxicity involves discontinuing the supplement, and for severe cases, seeking medical attention is necessary.
The safest way to meet your vitamin E needs is through a balanced diet rich in foods like nuts, seeds, and oils.

The Link Between High Vitamin E Intake and Fatigue

Studies have shown a clear correlation between consuming excessive amounts of vitamin E and experiencing fatigue. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that any surplus is stored in the body's fat tissues rather than being excreted immediately like water-soluble vitamins. When an individual takes high-dose supplements over an extended period, this can lead to an unhealthy accumulation, a condition known as hypervitaminosis E or vitamin E toxicity.

Unlike mild cases of vitamin E excess which may have no apparent harm, taking doses significantly above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) increases the risk of side effects. For adults, the UL is 1,000 mg (equivalent to 1,100 IU of synthetic vitamin E) from supplements per day, though some studies have noted issues with doses as low as 180 mg (400 IU) in certain populations. The fatigue experienced from vitamin E toxicity is often accompanied by other symptoms, signaling a need to re-evaluate one's supplement regimen. It is important to distinguish this from the fatigue caused by a vitamin E deficiency, which results from a lack of healthy red blood cells needed for oxygen transport. In the case of toxicity, the exact mechanism for fatigue is not fully understood but is linked to the body being overloaded with the fat-soluble nutrient.

Other Signs of Vitamin E Toxicity

While fatigue can be a notable symptom, it is rarely the only one. Other signs of vitamin E overdose can range from mild to severe. These include:

Gastrointestinal issues: Upset stomach, loose stools, diarrhea, and nausea.
Muscular weakness: A general feeling of weakness throughout the body.
Headaches: Frequent or severe headaches that are otherwise unexplained.
Increased bleeding risk: This is the most significant danger, particularly for individuals taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin. High levels of vitamin E interfere with vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, increasing the risk of hemorrhaging, including in the brain,.
Blurred vision: An additional, less common symptom noted in some cases.

Understanding Safe Intake vs. Excessive Supplementation

Most people can meet their daily vitamin E needs through a balanced diet without needing supplements. Toxicity almost always occurs from supplement misuse, not from dietary intake alone. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is just 15 mg of alpha-tocopherol per day, a stark contrast to the high doses found in many supplements.

Prevention and Treatment of Vitamin E Toxicity

The most effective way to prevent hypervitaminosis E is to avoid taking high-dose supplements unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider. If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of toxicity, the first step is to stop taking the supplement. For mild cases, ceasing supplementation is often enough to resolve symptoms, including fatigue. However, severe complications like excessive bleeding require immediate medical attention. Doctors may need to administer vitamin K to counteract the anticoagulant effects. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before taking vitamin E supplements, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are on other medications.

Dietary Sources of Vitamin E

For most individuals, relying on natural food sources is the safest and most effective way to get enough vitamin E. Rich sources include:

Sunflower seeds and oil
Almonds and hazelnuts
Wheat germ oil
Spinach and broccoli
Avocado
Swiss chard
Certain fortified cereals

By prioritizing a diet rich in these foods, you can ensure a healthy intake of vitamin E without the risks associated with excessive supplementation.

Comparison of Vitamin E Toxicity vs. Deficiency


Symptom	Vitamin E Toxicity	Vitamin E Deficiency
Cause	Excessive intake, usually from high-dose supplements.	Poor fat absorption due to underlying medical conditions (e.g., Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis).
Onset	Can occur over months or years of high supplementation.	Gradual, often taking years to manifest and be recognized.
Fatigue	Yes, a symptom of excess.	Yes, due to oxidative damage to red blood cells and poor oxygen transport.
Nervous System	Headaches, blurred vision.	Neuromuscular problems, poor nerve impulse transmission.
Muscular Issues	Weakness.	Myopathy (muscle weakness) and ataxia (coordination issues).
Bleeding	Increased risk, especially with blood thinners.	Risk of hemolytic anemia in infants, brain hemorrhage in severe cases.
Gastrointestinal	Nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach.	Greasy stools (due to malabsorption).

Conclusion

While vitamin E is an essential nutrient, it is possible to have too much, and fatigue is a potential side effect of excess intake. This often results from high-dose supplementation rather than from dietary sources. Other serious risks, particularly increased bleeding, make it crucial to respect the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 1,000 mg/day for adults. The safest approach for most people is to obtain vitamin E from a balanced diet rich in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. If you are experiencing unexplained fatigue or other symptoms, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause and safe course of action. For more information on vitamin E, refer to authoritative sources like the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

A high dose of vitamin E is generally considered to be above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 1,000 mg per day for adults, primarily from supplements. Some studies have also noted risks with doses as low as 400 IU for certain populations.

No, it is highly unlikely to get too much vitamin E from food alone. Toxicity is almost exclusively caused by the overuse of high-dose dietary supplements.

Early signs of vitamin E toxicity can include nausea, upset stomach, fatigue, muscle weakness, and headaches,. If you notice these symptoms, consider stopping your supplement and consulting a doctor.

Because vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the body, it can take months or even years of consistent high-dose supplementation for significant levels to build up and cause side effects. The onset of symptoms is typically gradual.

The primary treatment for vitamin E toxicity is to stop taking the supplements. In severe cases, especially if bleeding occurs, medical intervention like administering vitamin K may be necessary.

Individuals taking high-dose supplements, particularly those on blood-thinning medications like warfarin, have the highest risk of experiencing severe complications such as bleeding. It is important to talk to a doctor before starting supplementation.

No, the mechanisms are different. Fatigue from too much vitamin E is a symptom of toxicity, while fatigue from a deficiency is related to oxidative damage to red blood cells and poor oxygen transport.