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.
The narrow version of the question 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.
LeilaHI 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 | 61 | 19 | 51 |
| Iron | 91 | 56 | 79 |
| TIBC | 331 | 401 | 331 |
| Transferrin Sat | 29% | 16% | 28% |
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.
sarah.morrison said:Iron studies on micronutrients — important especially for women: Marker Baseline Month 6 After Supplementation Ferritin 61 19 51 Iron 91 56 79 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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View ResultsLeilaHI 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.
Adding a me-too, because a thread of one person's experience is not much use.
Clinical perspective, offered as context rather than as advice.
Blood count monitoring for micronutrients: my doctor noticed my MCV (mean corpuscular volume) trending up at month 6: 91 → 98 fL. This flagged potential B12 or folate deficiency.
Sure enough, B12 had dropped from 620 to 340 pg/mL. Started B12 injections monthly and MCV normalized within 2 months. GLP-1 agonists can impair B12 absorption — this is a real clinical concern that deserves routine monitoring.