Health guide
Vitamin D deficiency: signs, testing, and correction
Vitamin D keeps your bones strong, your muscles working, and your immune system steady. Despite plenty of sunshine, deficiency is extremely common in India because of indoor lifestyles, sunscreen, clothing, and skin tone. The symptoms are easy to dismiss as everyday tiredness, which is exactly why testing helps.
Reviewed by Dr. Vishal Singh, Lab DirectorUpdated
Signs of low vitamin D
- Bone, joint, or lower-back pain
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Frequent tiredness and low mood
- Low immunity or frequent illness
- Hair fall
- Slow recovery from injury
What the test measures
The test measures 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the best indicator of your status. Below 20 ng/mL is deficient, 20-30 is insufficient, and 30-100 is sufficient. Fasting is not required.
Testing before and after supplements
If you start a vitamin D supplement, retesting after about 8-12 weeks confirms your levels have corrected and helps your doctor set the right maintenance dose, rather than guessing.
This guide is for general information and is not a diagnosis. Always discuss your symptoms and results with a doctor.
Tests that help
Recommended panel
BoneShield
9 biomarkers in one panel
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal vitamin D level?
30-100 ng/mL is considered sufficient. Below 20 ng/mL is deficient and usually needs supplementation under medical advice.
Can I have low vitamin D even with sun exposure?
Yes. Skin tone, sunscreen, clothing, and indoor lifestyles mean deficiency is common in India despite the sun.
Not sure where to start?
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