Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D to function properly. This nutrient helps your body absorb calcium and supports bone health, immune function, and muscle strength. Despite Singapore’s sunny climate, many individuals still develop vitamin D deficiency due to spending most of their time indoors or avoiding direct sunlight. The condition can develop gradually and may go unnoticed until symptoms become more apparent.
The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be subtle at first but may become more noticeable over time.
You may experience aching bones, particularly in your back, hips, or legs, along with muscle pain or weakness that feels different from normal tiredness.
Ongoing exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest, making daily activities feel more challenging than usual.
Getting colds, flu, or other infections more often than usual, as your immune system may not be working optimally.
Cuts, bruises, or injuries taking longer than expected to heal properly.
Noticeable hair loss or thinning beyond normal daily shedding.
Several factors can contribute to vitamin D deficiency, particularly relevant to life in Singapore.
Spending most of your time indoors for work or lifestyle reasons reduces your skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight.
Following a diet low in vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, or having dietary restrictions that limit these options.
Having conditions that affect fat absorption, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or kidney and liver disorders that impact vitamin D processing.
Taking medications such as corticosteroids, weight-loss drugs, or seizure medications that can interfere with vitamin D absorption or metabolism.
Vitamin D deficiency is classified based on the severity of blood levels and associated symptoms.
Your vitamin D levels are below normal but you may not experience obvious symptoms yet. This stage often goes unnoticed but can progress without treatment.
You may begin to notice symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, or frequent infections as your body struggles to maintain normal functions.
Significant symptoms including bone pain, muscle weakness, and increased risk of fractures become apparent, requiring prompt medical attention.
Blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D: A simple blood test that measures the main form of vitamin D in your blood, providing the most accurate assessment of your vitamin D status.
Medical history review: Discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle factors, diet, sun exposure habits, and any medications that might affect vitamin D levels.
Physical examination: Assessment of symptoms such as muscle weakness, bone tenderness, or signs that might suggest vitamin D deficiency.
Treatment for vitamin D deficiency typically involves restoring adequate vitamin D levels through supplementation and lifestyle modifications tailored to your individual needs.
Prescribed vitamin D tablets or capsules taken daily or weekly to restore your body’s vitamin D levels to normal ranges.
Advice on incorporating vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks into your regular diet.
Recommendations for appropriate sun exposure practices and timing to help your body naturally produce vitamin D whilst protecting your skin.
Regular blood tests and consultations to track your vitamin D levels and adjust treatment as needed to maintain optimal levels.
Consult our accredited specialist for vitamin D screening and support.
Preventing vitamin D deficiency involves maintaining a balance between appropriate sun exposure, consuming vitamin D-rich foods, and taking supplements when recommended by your doctor. Spending 10-15 minutes in morning or late afternoon sunlight several times a week, eating foods like salmon, mackerel, fortified cereals, and maintaining regular medical check-ups can help prevent deficiency from developing or recurring.
Most people begin to see improvements in their vitamin D blood levels within 4-6 weeks of starting supplements, though it may take 2-3 months to reach optimal levels.
Very few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, making it difficult to meet your needs through diet alone. Most people require a combination of food sources, sun exposure, and supplements.
Many people notice improved energy and reduced fatigue within a few months of treatment, though individual responses vary.
Dr. Mondry has over 30 years of experience as an internal medicine & hypertension specialist.
Hypertension Specialist accredited by the German Hypertension League (DHL)
Contributed to the latest Singapore ACE Clinical Guidance on “Hypertension – Tailoring the Management Plan to Optimise Blood Pressure Control” as a committee member.
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