Nutrition
Vitamin Deficiency
Also known as: Vitamin D, B12, Iron, Calcium
Understanding vitamin and mineral deficiency reports — Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, calcium.
How MedFast.AI helps with vitamin deficiency reports
MedFast.AI reads your vitamin panel and explains each deficiency's cause and treatment path — without alarming you.
Tests & values you'll see
Click any term to open its plain-language explainer.
Vitamin D
Sunlight-vitamin, also helps absorb calcium for bone strength. Deficiency is extremely common in India, can cause fatigue and bone aches.
Vitamin B12
Needed for healthy nerves and red blood cells. Vegetarians often run low. Symptoms include tingling, fatigue, and memory issues.
Ferritin
Your body's iron storage protein — think 'iron fuel tank'. Low ferritin is the earliest sign of iron deficiency, even before anaemia shows.
Calcium
Needed for bones, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Blood calcium is tightly regulated — abnormal levels are a red flag.
Frequently asked questions
Why is vitamin D deficiency so common in India?
Despite abundant sunshine, ~70% of urban Indians are Vitamin D deficient. Reasons: staying indoors, air pollution blocking UVB, dark skin needing more sun, covering up, and low dietary sources. Supplementation is often needed.
How much Vitamin D3 should I take?
Deficient (<20 ng/mL): usually 60,000 IU weekly for 8 weeks, then a maintenance dose. Insufficient (20–30): lower dose weekly. Always follow your doctor's prescription — over-supplementation is possible.
I'm a vegetarian and my B12 is 180. What do I do?
Low. Most vegetarians in India run low on B12 because it's only in animal products (or fortified foods). Doctors usually prescribe oral or injectable B12 supplementation, plus recommend fortified foods for maintenance.
Sources & Standards
The plain-language explanations above draw on published standards from the following bodies. Reference ranges and thresholds vary slightly by lab and demographic — always check the range on your own report and follow your doctor's interpretation.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India's apex biomedical research body
India-specific clinical guidelines and reference values.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
India's health ministry
Universal Immunisation Programme and national health policy.
- NIH / MedlinePlus
US National Institutes of Health patient-education arm
Plain-language descriptions of tests, conditions, and medicines.
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Global public-health authority
Global reference ranges and disease classifications.
We can be wrong. Explanations here are for comprehension only — confirm every decision with your doctor.
This is a comprehension aid, not medical advice. AI can be wrong. Always confirm any health decision with your doctor.