We analyzed a consecutive series of 115 women who were referred to our unit for evaluation for bariatric surgery. Their weight, height, body mass index, and waist circumference were measured. The basal hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, ferritin, copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin (A, D, E, K, B12, and folic) blood levels were also determined.
Deficiencies were found in 6.1 % of the subjects for albumin, 21.7 % for prealbumin, 2.6 % for hemoglobin, and 5.2 % for ferritin. In the vitamin analysis, no deficiencies were found in the patients for vitamins A, E, or K, but 71.3 % had a moderate deficiency of vitamin D and 26.1 % a severe deficiency of vitamin D (<15 ng/mL). In concorndance with the high prevalence of 25-OH vitamin D deficiency, 22.6 % of the patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism with intact parathyroid hormone levels >72 pg/mL. Deficiencies were found in 9.5 % for vitamin B12, 25.2 % for folic acid, 67.8 % for copper, and 73.9 % for zinc.
Our study has demonstrated a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in morbidly obese women seeking obesity surgery.