A large survey of over 20,000 doctors across India found that vitamin D deficiency is extremely common, affecting about half to all of their patients. Doctors are responding by prescribing vitamin D supplements for 8 weeks to help boost levels and support immune health. However, the survey revealed that many patients don’t know they need vitamin D and can’t always afford the treatment. This research shows that vitamin D deficiency is a major health issue in India that needs better awareness and more affordable solutions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common vitamin D deficiency is among patients visiting doctors in India and what treatments doctors are using to fix it
  • Who participated: Over 20,000 doctors from different medical specialties working in hospitals and clinics across 23 Indian states and 4,472 cities, both in cities and rural areas
  • Key finding: Between 51% and 100% of patients that doctors see have low vitamin D levels. Most doctors (58%) treat this by giving patients vitamin D supplements for 8 weeks, and about two-thirds of doctors check for deficiency by asking about symptoms like tiredness and sadness
  • What it means for you: If you live in India and feel tired or sad, you might have low vitamin D. Doctors commonly prescribe vitamin D supplements, but you should know that cost and lack of awareness are big barriers to getting treatment

The Research Details

This study asked doctors about their real-world experience with vitamin D deficiency. Researchers created a simple 6-question survey and sent it online to 20,603 doctors working in outpatient departments (where patients visit for regular check-ups) across India. The survey was conducted across 23 states and over 4,000 cities, including both urban and rural areas. Doctors answered questions based on what they actually see in their daily practice—how many patients have low vitamin D, how they diagnose it, and how they treat it. The researchers then collected all the answers and looked for patterns in how doctors approach vitamin D deficiency.

This approach is valuable because it captures what doctors actually observe and do in real practice, rather than just looking at lab test results. By surveying so many doctors across such a large area, the study gives a broad picture of vitamin D deficiency across India. This helps us understand the true scope of the problem and how the medical system is currently responding to it.

This study has some important strengths: it included a very large number of doctors (over 20,000) from many different regions and specialties, which makes the findings more representative of India as a whole. However, the study relies on doctors’ opinions and memories rather than actual patient blood test results, so the numbers might not be perfectly accurate. The study also doesn’t tell us about patients who never visit doctors, so the real prevalence might be different. The survey was simple (only 6 questions), which made it easy for doctors to complete but meant it couldn’t capture very detailed information.

What the Results Show

The survey found that vitamin D deficiency is extremely widespread in India. According to the doctors surveyed, between 51% and 100% of their patients have low vitamin D levels—meaning at least half of all patients they see have this problem. Most doctors (58%) respond by prescribing an 8-week course of vitamin D3 supplements at a dose of 60,000 units per week. Doctors choose this treatment mainly to correct the deficiency itself and to support their patients’ immune systems. About two-thirds of doctors (67%) diagnose vitamin D deficiency by asking patients about symptoms like extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, and depression, rather than always ordering blood tests. When choosing which vitamin D supplement to prescribe, doctors most commonly consider whether the supplement will raise patients’ blood vitamin D levels to a healthy range (67% of doctors) and whether patients will actually take the medicine as prescribed (patient compliance).

The study found that different forms of vitamin D supplements—tablets, capsules, powders in sachets, and injections—all worked about equally well. This suggests that the form of the supplement matters less than actually taking it. The survey also identified two major obstacles to treating vitamin D deficiency: many patients don’t know they have low vitamin D or understand why it matters, and the cost of supplements is too high for many people to afford ongoing treatment.

Earlier research had looked at vitamin D deficiency in specific groups of Indians, like children, teenagers, and pregnant women, but this is one of the first studies to get a broad picture across many different patient types and regions. The high prevalence rates found in this survey (51-100%) align with what smaller studies have suggested—that vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in India. The treatment approach of using 60,000 units per week for 8 weeks is consistent with what doctors have been recommending in other Indian studies.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it’s based on what doctors think and remember, not on actual blood test results from patients, so the numbers might be higher or lower than reality. Second, the survey only reached doctors in outpatient departments, so it doesn’t include patients who are hospitalized or who never see doctors. Third, the survey was very short (only 6 questions), so it couldn’t explore complex details about how doctors diagnose and treat vitamin D deficiency. Fourth, we don’t know if the doctors who answered the survey are representative of all Indian doctors, or if certain types of doctors were more likely to respond. Finally, the study was done at one point in time, so it doesn’t show us whether vitamin D deficiency is getting better or worse over time.

The Bottom Line

If you live in India and experience symptoms like persistent tiredness, muscle pain, or depression, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level. If you’re deficient, vitamin D supplements appear to be an effective treatment, with most doctors recommending an 8-week course. The form of supplement (tablet, capsule, powder, or injection) matters less than taking it consistently. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on doctors’ clinical experience rather than large-scale patient studies.

This research is especially relevant for people living in India who experience fatigue, muscle weakness, or mood problems. It’s also important for doctors and public health officials in India who need to understand how widespread this problem is. People in other sunny countries might have different vitamin D levels. If you’re outside India or have specific health conditions, talk to your own doctor about whether you need vitamin D testing.

Most doctors in the survey use an 8-week treatment course, suggesting you might expect to see improvements in energy and mood within that timeframe. However, individual results vary, and some people may need longer treatment or follow-up testing to confirm their levels have improved.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your energy levels and mood daily on a scale of 1-10 before starting vitamin D supplements and throughout your 8-week treatment course to see if you notice improvements
  • Set a daily reminder to take your vitamin D supplement at the same time each day (such as with breakfast) to help you remember and stay consistent with treatment
  • After completing the 8-week course, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to recheck your vitamin D levels and assess whether symptoms like fatigue and low mood have improved

This research reflects doctors’ clinical observations and opinions rather than individual patient test results. Vitamin D deficiency should be diagnosed through blood tests ordered by a qualified healthcare provider, not based on symptoms alone. Before starting any vitamin D supplement, consult with your doctor to determine if you actually have a deficiency and what dose is appropriate for you. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual results vary, and some people may need different treatment approaches based on their specific health conditions.