Rebound Scurvy

It is used in the treatment of scurvy, postoperative cases, and healing bedsores and chronic leg ulcers. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron during anemia and is frequently combined with ferrous salts. It is used in urinary tract infections to acidify urine. Large doses of vitamin C have been tried to cure everything from the common cold to cancer, with not much success. The usefulness of vitamin C in asthma, cancer, atherosclerosis, psychologic symptoms, and fertility is doubtful. Ascorbic acid is well tolerated in large doses and may cause rebound scurvy on withdrawal. There is a possibility of forming urinary stones. 

Acute ingestions seldom require treatment. Dilution is recommended to reduce the risk of esophageal and gastrointestinal irritations. During chronic excessive use, patients should be instructed to discontinue the supplement and observe for signs of rebound scurvy. Any toxic symptom should be treated symptomatically. 

Because the rate of ascorbate catabolism increases with increasing intake, it has been su ested that abrupt cessation of high intakes of ascorbate may result in rebound scurvy because of metabolic conditioning and a greatly increased rate of cataboHsm. While there have been a number of anecdotal reports, there is no evidence that this occurs. 

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