9 minute read
How certain medications & health conditions can impact nutrient levels
Published July 27, 2024
Nutrients are essential for every part of you—from bone strength to brain power. They're not just important for health, they're vital for life.¹ But getting enough goes beyond what is (or isn’t) on your plate. Other factors like oral contraceptives, thyroid disorders, and celiac disease, can impact your body’s ability to absorb or use nutrients.² ³ This can lead to deficiencies with a wide range of health effects.¹⁻³
It’s an issue impacting far too many.
31% of Americans, or nearly 1 in 3, are at risk of nutrient deficiency or anemia.⁴
This article focuses on how 3 factors—oral contraceptives, thyroid disorders, and celiac disease—can affect nutrient levels.² ³ You'll learn which nutrients are most at risk, what they do, and how your body might tell you it’s running low.
1. Oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills or "the pill") revolutionized women's reproductive health since their introduction in 1960.² These medications work by delivering synthetic hormones, either a combination of estrogen and progestin or progestin only. When taken as directed, they offer a highly effective method of preventing pregnancy by⁵:
- Reducing or stopping ovulation
- Thickening cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus
- Thinning the lining of the uterus, making it less receptive to a fertilized egg
These medications are also prescribed to help treat certain medical conditions and manage their symptoms.⁵ Though effective for their intended purposes, oral contraceptives can also negatively impact nutrient levels in the body.²
7 nutrient deficiencies linked to oral contraceptives[² ⁶⁻¹³]
| Nutrient | What it does | Nutrient deficiency symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | • Helps build DNA, RNA, bones, and teeth • Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar • Supports muscle and nerve function • Supports over 300 enzyme reactions • Turns food into energy |
• Loss of appetite • Low blood calcium or potassium levels • Muscle cramps or twitching • Nausea or vomiting • Weakness, tiredness |
| Phosphorus | • Builds and protects bones and teeth • Filters and removes waste from kidneys • Helps build DNA and RNA • Supports muscle, nerve, and heart function • Turns food into energy |
• Anemia • Bone pain • Irritability, mood changes • Loss of appetite • Muscle weakness |
| Selenium | • Boosts immune system function • Helps build DNA • Protects cells from damage (antioxidant) • Regulates thyroid hormones • Supports reproduction |
• Confusion • Depression, mood changes • Muscle pain • Thyroid dysfunction • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | • Boosts immune system function • Makes red blood cells • Supports brain development and function • Supports over 100 enzyme reactions • Turns food into energy |
• Anemia • Cracked corners of mouth • Irritability, mood changes • Sore or swollen tongue • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin B9 (folate, folic acid) | • Grows tissues • Helps break down, use, and create proteins • Helps build DNA • Makes red blood cells • Supports cell function |
• Headache • Irritability, mood changes • Shortness of breath • Sore or swollen tongue • Weakness, tiredness |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | • Helps heal wounds • Helps with blood clotting • Promotes heart health • Regulates blood calcium levels • Supports bone and tissue health |
• Easy bruising • Excessive bleeding • Heavy periods • Increased blood clotting time • Nosebleeds |
| Zinc | • Boosts immune system function • Helps build DNA and proteins • Promotes wound healing and blood clotting • Protects cells from damage (antioxidant) • Supports growth and sense of taste and smell |
• Diarrhea • Loss of appetite • Loss of taste or smell • Slow wound healing, skin rash or sores • Weakened immune system |
Nearly 1 in 7 women in the US (ages 15–49) use oral contraceptives,¹⁴ which can deplete nutrients and cause side effects.²
Better understand your nutrient levels with Quest’s Nutrient Deficiency Panel for Oral Contraceptive Patients, designed for those taking birth control pills. Our panel measures 7 nutrients that oral contraceptives can impact: magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin E, and zinc.
2. Thyroid disorders
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. It produces and releases hormones that control vital bodily functions. These hormones regulate your metabolism, the process that converts the food you eat into energy—the fuel powering every cell in your body. If your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can affect your entire body and overall health.¹⁵
Thyroid disorders can cause the thyroid to produce and release abnormal levels of thyroid hormones. This can lead to either too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) of these hormones in your body. Approximately 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disorder, including¹⁵:
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Iodine deficiency
- Thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid)
- Thyroiditis (swelling of the thyroid)
- Thyroid cancer
Thyroid health and nutrition go hand in hand. Your thyroid relies on nutrients like iodine, iron, selenium, and vitamin D to function properly.[¹⁶⁻¹⁸] A lack of certain nutrients can cause thyroid disorders. But there’s a twist. Thyroid disorders can also cause nutrient deficiencies. This can create a challenging cycle where thyroid disorders and nutrient deficiencies feed into—and potentially worsen—each other.¹⁶
4 nutrient deficiencies linked to thyroid disorders[⁹ ¹¹ ¹⁶⁻²¹]
| Nutrient | What it does | Nutrient deficiency symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Iodine | • Influences muscle and nerve function
• Makes thyroid hormones • Regulates metabolism • Supports thyroid function, reproduction, and growth • Turns food into energy |
• Brain fog
• Dry skin, hair loss • Thyroid dysfunction • Weakness, tiredness • Weight gain |
| Iron | • Helps make hemoglobin (protein in red blood cells)
• Helps make myoglobin (protein in muscles) • Makes collagen, brain chemicals, and hormones • Supports growth and development • Transports oxygen in the blood |
• Anemia
• Fast or irregular heartbeat • Headache • Weakness, tiredness • Whooshing sound in ears |
| Selenium | • Boosts immune system function
• Helps build DNA • Protects cells from damage (antioxidant) • Regulates thyroid hormones • Supports reproduction |
• Confusion
• Depression, mood changes • Muscle pain • Thyroid dysfunction • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin D (calciferol) | • Influences mood and cognitive function
• Promotes calcium absorption • Regulates blood calcium and phosphorus levels • Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar • Supports brain, nerve, muscle, and bone function |
• Bone pain
• Depression, mood changes • Joint pain • Muscle weakness, aches, or cramps • Weakened immune system |
Joint pain, brain fog, or feeling like you’re running on empty?
Thyroid health and nutrition go hand in hand.
Quest’s Thyroid Disorder Nutrient Deficiency Panel measures iodine, iron, selenium, and vitamin D to help identify nutrient gaps linked to thyroid disorders.
3. Celiac disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, it triggers an immune system response. This response damages the lining of the small intestine, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients (malabsorption). This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a variety of health issues.²³
While a gluten-free diet is essential for managing celiac disease and preventing further damage, it can also cause nutritional deficiencies. Many gluten-free foods lack the added nutrients found in those containing gluten. This can lead to a lower intake of important vitamins and minerals—even while successfully avoiding gluten.²³
10 nutrient deficiencies linked to celiac disease [⁹ ¹¹⁻¹³ ²⁰⁻²⁶]
| Nutrient | What it does | Nutrient deficiency symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | • Helps make hemoglobin (protein in red blood cells)
• Helps make myoglobin (protein in muscles) • Makes collagen, brain chemicals, and hormones • Supports growth and development • Transports oxygen in the blood |
• Anemia
• Fast or irregular heartbeat • Headache • Weakness, tiredness • Whooshing sound in ears |
| Vitamin A (retinol, beta-carotene) | • Boosts immune system function
• Helps cells grow, divide, and develop • Protects cells from damage (antioxidant) • Supports bone, tooth, eye, and skin health • Supports growth, reproduction, and metabolism |
• Anemia
• Dry eyes, skin, or hair • Frequent infections • Infertility • Night blindness |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | • Boosts immune system function
• Makes certain hormones • Promotes skin, hair, muscle, and brain health • Supports cell growth, development, and function • Turns food into energy |
• Brain fog, memory issues
• Irritability, mood changes • Loss of appetite • Muscle weakness • Weight loss |
| Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | • Boosts immune system function
• Makes red blood cells • Supports brain development and function • Supports over 100 enzyme reactions • Turns food into energy |
• Anemia
• Cracked corners of mouth • Irritability, mood changes • Sore or swollen tongue • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin B7 (biotin) | • Controls how genes work
• Helps cells communicate • Regulates blood sugar • Supports hair, skin, and nail health • Turns food into energy |
• Brittle nails
• Depression • Rash around eyes, nose, or mouth • Thinning hair • Tiredness |
| Vitamin B9 (folate, folic acid) | • Grows tissues
• Helps break down, use, and create proteins • Helps build DNA • Makes red blood cells • Supports cell function |
• Headache
• Irritability, mood changes • Shortness of breath • Sore or swollen tongue • Weakness, tiredness |
| Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) | • Helps build DNA
• Influences mood and cognitive function • Makes red blood cells • Protects nerve cell health • Turns food into energy |
• Anemia
• Depression, mood changes • Memory loss • Nerve damage • Weakness, tiredness |
| Vitamin D (calciferol) | • Influences mood and cognitive function
• Promotes calcium absorption • Regulates blood calcium and phosphorus levels • Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar • Supports brain, nerve, muscle, and bone function |
• Bone pain
• Depression, mood changes • Joint pain • Muscle weakness, aches, or cramps • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | • Boosts immune system function
• Helps the body use vitamin K • Makes red blood cells • Protects cells from damage (antioxidant) • Supports skin, nerve, eye, and muscle health |
• Anemia
• Issues with coordination or vision • Muscle weakness • Nerve and muscle damage • Weakened immune system |
| Vitamin K | • Helps heal wounds
• Helps with blood clotting • Promotes heart health • Regulates blood calcium levels • Supports bone and tissue health |
• Easy bruising
• Excessive bleeding • Heavy periods • Increased blood clotting time • Nosebleeds |
Navigating celiac disease can be challenging—even for those with years of practice.
Uncover 10 potential nutrient deficiencies with 1 panel.
Quest’s Celiac Disease Nutrient Deficiency Panel measures the levels of 10 nutrients that can be affected by celiac disease: iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
If you’re considering a supplement, check what your body needs first.
Taking too much of certain nutrients can be harmful to your health.¹
Vitamins and minerals are important, but more isn’t always better.¹ If you’re considering a supplement, it’s best to first check your nutrient levels and talk with a doctor for advice. This way, you’ll know what your body needs—if anything—and can avoid taking too much.
Your guide to essential nutrients: The role of vitamins & minerals in overall health
No doctor visit is required to buy your own lab test at questhealth.com. PWNHealth and its affiliates review your purchase to ensure it is medically appropriate before submitting the test order for processing. PWNHealth also reviews your test results and will contact you directly if they require prompt attention. Included in each purchase is the option to discuss your test results with an independent physician; however, you are also encouraged to speak with your primary healthcare provider.
References
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- Kiani AK, Dhuli K, Donato K, et al. Main nutritional deficiencies. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022;63(2 Suppl 3):E93-E101. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2752
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- Cleveland Clinic. Birth control pills. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/3977-birth-control-the-pill
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- McArthur JO, Tang H, Petocz P, Samman S. Biological variability and impact of oral contraceptives on vitamins B6, B12, and folate status in women of reproductive age. Nutrients. 2013;5(9):3634-3645. doi:10.3390/nu509363
- Akinloye O, Adebayo TO, Oguntibeju OO, Oparinde DP, Ogunyemi EO. Effects of contraceptives on serum trace elements, calcium, and phosphorus levels. West Indian Med J. 2011;60(3):308-315.
- Harvard Health Publishing. Listing of vitamins. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins
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- Cleveland Clinic. Thyroid. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23188-thyroid
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