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 after is which deficiencies actually show up when intake drops this far, and which are worth testing rather than supplementing blind.
I have searched first, so if this is covered somewhere point me at it and I will read it.
emma_london 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 | 66 | 19 | 56 |
| Iron | 96 | 61 | 79 |
| TIBC | 321 | 391 | 331 |
| Transferrin Sat | 33% | 16% | 30% |
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.
NurseKim_ATL said:Iron studies on micronutrients — important especially for women: Marker Baseline Month 6 After Supplementation Ferritin 66 19 56 Iron 96 61 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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Shop Reference Standardsemma_london 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.
Second this. The detail I would add is minor and it is already implied above.
Adding the clinical framing, because it changes how the question reads.
Blood count monitoring for micronutrients: my doctor noticed my MCV (mean corpuscular volume) trending up at month 6: 88 → 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.