“Doctor, Is Something Seriously Wrong With Me?”

 She was 27 years old, neatly dressed, slightly anxious, and sat across the desk clutching a lab report.

“Doctor, I’ve been feeling weak for months. Some days my whole body aches. I’m worried there’s something seriously wrong with me. My friend said it could be Vitamin D, so I did this test.”

She was an IT undergraduate — long hours indoors, laptop open, deadlines looming, meals grabbed in between online lectures. Apart from feeling tired and achy, she had no other complaints. No weight loss. No fever. No alarming symptoms.

Her blood report showed one key finding: a Vitamin D level of 14.5 ng/mL, which falls into the deficient range .

So, was something seriously wrong?

The answer, reassuringly, was no — but something important was missing.

Vitamin D: The “Sunshine Vitamin” We Often Forget

Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies make it when sunlight touches the skin. Despite living in a tropical country like Sri Lanka, Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common.

Why?

Because modern life has quietly changed how we live.

• Long hours indoors (offices, universities, tuition classes)
• Screen-based lifestyles
• Avoidance of sun due to heat or cosmetic concerns
• Covering clothing
• Limited dietary sources

Over time, these small lifestyle shifts add up.

Vitamin D is essential not just for bones, but for muscle strength, balance, immunity, and overall wellbeing. When levels drop, the body often gives subtle, confusing signals.

What Happens When Vitamin D Is Low?

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and keeps muscles functioning properly. When it is insufficient or deficient, people may experience:

• Generalised body aches
• Muscle weakness
• Easy fatigue
• Bone discomfort
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Increased risk of falls (especially in older adults)

Importantly, these symptoms are non-specific. They don’t point clearly to one disease, which is why many people worry — “Is this something serious?”

In young adults, like this IT student, Vitamin D deficiency often explains symptoms once serious illnesses are ruled out.

Understanding the Blood Test (Without Panic)

Doctors measure Vitamin D using a blood test called 25-hydroxy Vitamin D.

In simple terms:

• Below 20 ng/mL → Deficiency
• 20–29 ng/mL → Insufficiency
• 30 ng/mL and above → Adequate

Her result of 14.5 ng/mL meant mild to moderate deficiency, not a dangerous condition — but one that should be corrected.

Her other tests (blood count, iron levels) were normal, which reassured both patient and doctor that there was no hidden serious illness.

This is a key message:
Vitamin D deficiency is common, treatable, and reversible.

Why Is Vitamin D Deficiency So Common in Sri Lanka?

This often surprises people.

“How can I be Vitamin D deficient when I live in a sunny country?”

Sunlight alone is not enough — exposure matters.

Many Sri Lankans:

• Leave home early, return after sunset
• Stay indoors during peak daylight hours
• Avoid sun intentionally
• Spend weekends indoors recovering from the week

Urbanisation, education, and technology — while positive — have unintentionally reduced daily sun exposure.

What Would the Doctor Do?

After listening carefully and reviewing the report, the doctor’s role is not just to prescribe tablets, but to reassure, explain, and guide.

Step 1: Reassurance

The doctor explains:

• There is no evidence of a serious disease
• Vitamin D deficiency is common
• Symptoms are real, but reversible

This alone often reduces anxiety.

Step 2: Correct the Deficiency

For deficiency, doctors usually prescribe Vitamin D supplements for a limited period to replenish body stores.

This is safe, effective, and evidence-based.

Step 3: Maintenance and Prevention

Once levels improve, long-term health depends more on lifestyle changes than tablets alone.

Lifestyle Changes That Truly Matter

🌞 1. Smart Sun Exposure

You don’t need to sunbathe for hours.

• 15–20 minutes
• Face, arms, or legs exposed
• 3–4 days a week
• Before 10 am or after 3 pm

This small habit can make a big difference.

🥗 2. Diet (Supportive, Not Sufficient Alone)

Vitamin D is found in limited foods:

• Egg yolk
• Oily fish like sardines and mackerel
• Fortified milk and dairy products

Diet alone usually isn’t enough, but it helps support recovery.

🚶 3. Move the Body

Gentle exercise improves muscle strength, mood, and energy levels — all of which improve how deficiency feels.

Do You Need to Keep Checking Vitamin D Levels?

For most healthy adults, repeated testing is not necessary once symptoms improve.

Doctors may repeat tests only if:

• Symptoms persist
• There are absorption problems
• There is kidney disease or osteoporosis

Unnecessary testing can increase anxiety without adding value.

What Vitamin D Deficiency Is Not

It is important to clear myths.

Vitamin D deficiency:

❌ Is not cancer

❌ Is not a sign of organ failure

❌ Does not mean lifelong medication

❌ Is not a weakness or personal failure

It is simply a reflection of modern living.

A Reassuring Ending to the Story

When the consultation ended, the young woman looked visibly relieved.

“So doctor… this is manageable?”

“Yes,” the doctor smiled. “Very much so.”

With treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and reassurance, most people feel better within weeks to months. Energy improves. Body aches settle. Confidence returns.

Sometimes, the most important part of medicine is not just treating a deficiency - but relieving fear.

The Take-Home Message

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Sri Lanka, even among young, educated, healthy adults. It can cause vague symptoms that feel worrying, but it is simple to diagnose, easy to treat, and largely preventable.

If you’re feeling tired, achy, or weak - don’t panic.
Talk to your doctor.
Understand your lifestyle.
And remember: sometimes, your body is just asking for a little sunlight.

Dr. Shane Halpe

Family Physician