Ask the Expert: Sun exposure not enough to maintain vitamin D levels
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A daily 30-minute skin exposure to direct sunlight (of 30 per cent bare skin surface area, usually uncovered arms and legs) can help in maintaining adequate vitamin D levels if these are not below normal. istock
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My vitamin D levels are quite low. I sunbathed for almost four months in the morning. Why is it still at 13.0?
— Munish Kumar, Nabha
Adequate vitamin D levels are between 30 and 100 ng/ml. Levels below 20 are very low and can be improved only by supplements and a healthy diet and not just sunbathing. Also get your calcium levels checked. Best is to consult a doctor (endocrinologist). As such, a daily 30-minute skin exposure to direct sunlight (of 30 per cent bare skin surface area, usually uncovered arms and legs) can help in maintaining adequate vitamin D levels if these are not below normal.
— Dr Ravi Gupta, Chairman, Orthopaedics, Paras Health, Panchkula
What are optimal levels for key parameters like TSH, vitamin D, B12, HbA1c, etc? Lab reports only show reference range, which can be misleading. Do tell about ranges ideal for good health and prevention. — Simran Nagpal, Faridabad
The TSH should be less than 2.5 for pregnant women or those planning; in the elderly and neonates, levels from 5.5 to 6-6.5 do not need immediate treatment as higher TSH is normal in neonates, but in both age groups follow-up and evaluation (T4, repeat TSH) are essential, particularly in the elderly based on symptoms, T4 level, cardiac risk; for adults, optimal TSH range is between 0.40 to 4.0 mIU/L.
Vitamin D: Between 30 and 100 ng/ml
HBA1C: Up to 5.6 per cent
Vitamin B12: 400-900 pg/mL
— Dr Sachin Mittal, Endocrinologist, Chandigarh
I am 50-years-old with no menopause yet. I have dragging pain in the lower abdomen in the morning for a short while. There is also discomfort in the urinary bladder sometimes. Gynaecological examination has ruled out any problem after internal check-up, and report for occult blood in stool is also negative. Should I consult a gastroenterologist? — Chandrakanta, Shimla
A dragging pain in the lower abdomen is commonly due to early pelvic organ prolapse, which may not be detected on ultrasound and is best identified through a gynaecological examination for uterine or cervical descent. A bulky uterus (adenomyosis) can also cause such pain, while ovarian cysts are usually visible on ultrasound. Urinary tract infection is another common cause. It is best to consult a urogynecologist or a senior gynaecologist for a physical examination, who can guide you after your detailed menstrual history, as infections may not cause such an issue.
— Dr Ritambhara Bhalla, Gynaecologist, Cloudnine Hospital, Chandigarh
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