Medicines — M

Vitamin D — Cholecalciferol 60,000 IU

Once weekly × 8 weeks, then monthly. Take with fatty meal (dal-roti in ghee/oil, or dissolve in full-fat milk).

Calcirol 60K Softgel / Sachet RECOMMENDED
Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd • Softgel (strip of 8) or Sachet
~₹29/capsule
Netmeds
D-Rise 60K Capsule EQUALLY GOOD
USV / Softech Pharma • Soft gelatin capsule (strip of 4)
~₹29/capsule
Netmeds
WHO GMP • PIC/S • US-FDA (2 facilities)
Cipcal D3 60K LAST RESORT
Cipla Ltd • ~₹25/capsule • Manufacturing facility unverified

Iron — Ferrous Ascorbate 100mg + Folic Acid 1.5mg

Once daily × 3–6 months. Empty stomach with lemon water. No tea/milk/antacids for 2 hours.

Orofer XT RECOMMENDED
Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd • Tablet
~₹19/tablet
Netmeds
Fericip XT GOOD ALTERNATIVE
Cipla Ltd • Same salt & dose • 33% cheaper
~₹13/tablet
Netmeds
WHO GMP certified • No product-specific clinical evidence (unlike Orofer XT)

B12 + Folate — Nerve & Anemia Support

Once daily × 30 days (then reassess). Take after food.

Matilda Forte RECOMMENDED
Lupin Ltd • Capsule (strip of 15)
B12 1500mcg + ALA 200mg + Folic Acid 1.5mg + B6 + Biotin
~₹27/capsule
Netmeds
Methycobal 500mcg B12 ONLY
Eisai Japan / Wockhardt • 500mcg tablet • Need 3/day for 1500mcg
~₹10/tablet
Netmeds
Originator brand • WHO prequalified (2025) • No folate/ALA — add separate folic acid
Nurokind OD 1500mcg B12 ONLY
Mankind Pharma • 1500mcg single tablet (strip of 20)
~₹9/tablet
Netmeds
WHO GMP certified • No folate/ALA — add separate folic acid

Deworming — Albendazole 400mg

Single dose only. Take on Day 3–4 (after stool sample collected, after tolerating supplements). With food.

Zentel 400mg RECOMMENDED
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) • Chewable tablet • Mfg: GSK Life Sciences, Vapi, Gujarat
~₹9/tablet • Buy 5 tablets (1 per family member, every 6–12 months)
Netmeds
Originator brand • Used in WHO global deworming programs • Not in CDSCO NSQ alerts
Bandy 400mg GOOD ALTERNATIVE
Mankind Pharma • Chewable tablet • Mfg: Next Wave (India), Paonta Sahib, HP
~₹7/tablet
Netmeds
Mankind (top 5 Indian pharma) • WHO GMP • Not in CDSCO NSQ alerts

Avoid unbranded / small-manufacturer albendazole — multiple batches (Samkem, Hindustan Antibiotics, Salus Pharma) have failed CDSCO dissolution tests in 2025–26.

M — Action Plan

Start Orofer XT, Matilda Forte, Calcirol 60K
Today
Ask about menstrual history (heavy? prolonged? clots?)
Today — just a conversation
Get stool routine & microscopy done
Within 2–3 days (before Albendazole, so it's informative)
Albendazole 400mg single dose
Day 3–4 (after stool sample collected, after tolerating supplements)
Repeat CBC
Week 6–8
Repeat Vitamin D
Week 8–10
Repeat iron studies (including Ferritin if not already tested)
Month 3

Lab Tests

▼
Fasting sample — come on empty stomach (only water). Eat right after the blood draw.
Chest X-ray is done in Radiology — confirm this centre has an X-ray facility, else it must be done at a separate radiology centre.

M

Base: Full Body — Complete Package (already selected)

Additional tests requested (not in the package):

Blood Culture & Sensitivity ₹800–1,200
Identify bacterial infection + antibiotic sensitivity
Report: 48–72 hrs
Chest X-ray (PA view) ₹200–400
Screen lungs / chest
RadiologyReport: same day
Urine Culture & Sensitivity ₹400–600
Detect urinary infection (package has only Urine R/E) — urine sample
Report: 48 hrs
Folate (Folic Acid, serum) ₹400–600
Completes anemia workup (not in package)
Report: next day
Peripheral Blood Smear ₹200–300
Blood cell examination / malaria check
Report: same day
Additional tests — approx total ₹2,000–3,100

S

Base: Full Body — Complete Package (already selected)

Additional tests requested (not in the package):

HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) ₹200–400
Rule out Hepatitis B infection
Report: same day
Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Antibody) ₹400–700
Rule out Hepatitis C infection
Report: same day
Fasting Insulin ₹400–600
Detect insulin resistance (driver of fatty liver)
Report: same day / next day
Ultrasound — Whole Abdomen ₹800–1,500
Confirm fatty liver, assess liver size and bile ducts
RadiologyReport: same day
Additional tests — approx total ₹1,800–3,200

S — Skin (Dermatology)

Suspected: Tinea Versicolor — dark spots on upper back & triceps, mild recurring itch. Previous Total IgE was 700 IU/mL (normal <100).

Test to confirm / recheck:

Total Serum IgE ₹500–800
Recheck allergic/atopic status (was 700 IU/mL previously)
Report: next day
Skin tests — approx total ₹500–800

Dermatologists in Prayagraj:

Dr. (Major) Sushil Kumar 4.7/5 (170)
Indra Clinic, JL Nehru Rd, Tagore Town — Ph: 094503 50099
Doesn't over-prescribe. Practical, results-focused.
Dr. D.K. Patwa 4.5/5 (940)
Dr. Patwa's Skin Care & Hair Clinic, Near Ojha Hospital, Tagore Town — ₹200
Ex-SR at SRN Hospital, academic background. High patient volume.
Dr. Nishant Nigam 97% rec (92)
Nazareth Hospital, Prayagraj — 20 yrs experience, MD Skin & VD
Hospital-based. Experienced.