Is vitamin D helpful for fatigue from low sun exposure?

Question

Hello doctor,

I work in an office and hardly get sun exposure for more than half an hour a day. I feel very tired and sleepy all the time. Should I take vitamin D medication? Could you please recommend one?

Answer 1

Hello,

I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries.

I understand your concern and will try to help you with it.

Exposure to the sun is very essential for some reactions which help in making vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D helps the body to use calcium. The symptoms of fatigue and sleepiness that you mentioned might be due to your hectic schedule, lack of proper sleep, or sometimes due to a lack of important nutrients in your body. If you feel that you lack vitamin D then the best way is to perform a simple blood test named 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Levels between 20 to 50 ng/mL are considered normal for healthy people. Sometimes reference value may vary for some laboratories.

I would recommend you perform the test first and only then take any vitamin D supplement. Till then you can add some foods to your diet which naturally have vitamin D in them like fish liver oils, egg yolk, or fortified dairy and grain products. You can do a follow-up after four weeks.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.