I started taking a multivitamin as insurance and then found out that two of the things I was actually short of were the two it barely contains.
Cheap and worth having: ferritin, B12, vitamin D. Everything else on the deficiency list is adequately covered by a standard multivitamin at ordinary doses.
What I am trying to establish is which deficiencies actually show up when intake drops this far, and which are worth testing rather than supplementing blind.
Practical detail welcome, however dull — the duller the better.
CryptoCarl said:I started taking a multivitamin as insurance and then found out that two of the things I was actually short of were the two it barely contains.
Iron studies on micronutrients — important especially for women:
| Marker | Baseline | Month 6 | After Supplementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | 60 | 18 | 45 |
| Iron | 90 | 50 | 78 |
| TIBC | 310 | 380 | 330 |
| Transferrin Sat | 32% | 15% | 25% |
My ferritin cratered at month 6 from reduced dietary intake. Iron bisglycinate 36mg with vitamin C brought it back up. Don't wait for anemia symptoms — test proactively.
Dr.KarenChen said:Iron studies on micronutrients — important especially for women: Marker Baseline Month 6 After Supplementation Ferritin 60 18 45 Iron 90 50 78 TIBC…
Vitamin D levels and micronutrients: an often-overlooked connection. Obese individuals store vitamin D in adipose tissue, making it less bioavailable. As you lose fat, vitamin D can actually increase WITHOUT supplementation.
My trajectory: Baseline 18 ng/mL → Month 6 (with supplement) 42 ng/mL → Month 12 48 ng/mL. Target is 40-60 ng/mL. Adequate vitamin D supports immune function, bone health, and mood — all relevant during weight loss.
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Adding a me-too, because a thread of one person's experience is not much use.
Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.
Vitamin and mineral labs to check while on micronutrients — my doctor orders these quarterly:
- B12: Can drop due to reduced GI absorption. Mine went from 650 to 380 — now supplementing.
- Iron/Ferritin: Reduced food intake = reduced iron. Ferritin dropped from 60 to 27. Supplementing.
- Vitamin D: Was already low (19 ng/mL), now taking 5000 IU daily.
- Folate: Stable, no issues.
- Zinc: Slightly low, added a multivitamin with zinc.
Nutritional deficiencies are a real risk when you're eating significantly less. Don't skip your labs!