TOBIN domain · NUT
Nutrient Deficiencies
Micronutrients, macronutrients, essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, cofactors and nutrient–drug–environment interactions.
Full description
Nutrient Deficiencies covers inadequate vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein and fiber. These are cofactors for detoxification, antioxidant defense, hormone production and immunity.
Deficiencies are common even in high-calorie diets. NHANES shows many U.S. adults fall short of recommended intakes of vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Ultra-processed food, medications, gut disorders and pregnancy raise the risk.
Components
7 componentsVitamin D
AA hormone-like vitamin for bone, muscle and immunity.
How it works: Low sun exposure, darker skin, obesity (stored in fat) and older age lower levels.
How it is assessed
- · 25-OH vitamin D (under 20 ng/mL deficient, under 12 severe; Endocrine Society/IOM)
Iron
ANeeded for oxygen transport, energy, thyroid function and neurotransmitters.
How it works: Blood loss, pregnancy, plant-only diets and malabsorption (celiac, H. pylori).
How it is assessed
- · Ferritin (under 30 ng/mL = depleted stores)
- · CBC, transferrin saturation
B12 and folate
ANeeded for methylation, DNA synthesis and nerves.
How it works: Metformin, acid-suppressing medicines, vegan diets, older age and pernicious anemia.
How it is assessed
- · B12 (under 200 pg/mL deficient; 200–300 borderline — check methylmalonic acid)
- · Homocysteine
Magnesium
BCofactor in more than 300 enzymes, including insulin signaling and vitamin D activation.
How it works: Low intake of greens, nuts and whole grains; losses from PPIs, diuretics and alcohol.
How it is assessed
- · Serum magnesium (normal levels can hide low body stores)
Omega-3 fatty acids
BEPA and DHA support cell membranes and help resolve inflammation.
How it works: Low fish intake; high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in modern diets.
How it is assessed
- · Omega-3 index (under 4% is higher risk; 8% or more is desirable)
Iodine, zinc and selenium
BTrace elements needed for thyroid hormone and antioxidant enzymes.
How it works: Iodine from iodized salt, dairy and seafood; zinc and selenium vary with soil and diet.
How it is assessed
- · Diet review; urine iodine in population studies
- · Serum zinc and selenium when deficiency is suspected
Protein and fiber
AProtein maintains muscle and makes glutathione; fiber feeds the gut microbiome.
How it works: Diets high in ultra-processed food are often low in fiber (most adults eat under 15 g/day against a 25–38 g target).
How it is assessed
- · Diet history; muscle strength in older adults
Clinical bottom line: Test before treating where possible, then replace to target and recheck. Megadoses carry risks: vitamin A in pregnancy, iron overload, and selenium above 400 µg/day. Whole-food dietary patterns have the strongest outcome evidence.
What it covers
- · Micronutrient adequacy
- · Protein & fatty-acid intake
- · Minerals & cofactors
- · Diet quality & ultra-processing
- · Drug–nutrient depletion
Symptoms and exposures scored
5 questions- · How much of your food is packaged or ultra-processed?
- · How many servings of vegetables and fruit do you eat daily?
- · How often do your meals include a clear protein source?
- · Do you avoid whole food groups (dairy, grains, animal foods, FODMAPs) without guidance?
- · Do you take medications long term (acid blockers, metformin, diuretics, contraceptives)?
Lab ranges
Graded 0–100 against published cutoffs| Test | Grading points (value → concern 0–100) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25-OH vitamin Dng/mL · lower is worse | 30→0 20→50 12→80 5→100vitamin D insufficiency | Endocrine Society: <20 ng/mL deficient, 20–29 insufficient; IOM <12 deficient |
| Ferritinng/mL · lower is worse | 30→0 15→60 5→100iron stores (low) | AGA 2020: ferritin <45 ng/mL supports iron deficiency; WHO <15 depleted |
| Vitamin B12pg/mL · lower is worse | 300→0 200→60 100→100B12 insufficiency | <200 pg/mL deficient; 200–300 borderline (confirm with MMA) |
| Magnesium (serum)mg/dL · lower is worse | 1.8→0 1.6→50 1.2→100magnesium insufficiency | Serum reference ≈ 1.7–2.2 mg/dL; serum underestimates total body stores |
| Omega-3 index% · lower is worse | 8→0 6→40 4→80 3→100low essential fatty acids | Harris & von Schacky: >8% desirable, <4% undesirable |
| Homocysteineµmol/L · higher is worse | 10→0 15→60 30→100methylation / B-vitamin strain | >15 µmol/L elevated in most laboratory references |
| Free T3pg/mL · lower is worse | 2.5→0 2.3→40 1.8→100low active thyroid hormone | Typical reference 2.3–4.2 pg/mL; low T3 also occurs in illness and calorie restriction |
Formulas
- Symptom score = average answer (0–4) × 25
- Lab score = 0.6 × worst marker + 0.4 × average marker
- N score = 60% symptoms + 40% labs (whichever exists if only one)
- Bands: 0–33 lower · 34–66 moderate · 67–100 higher
Symptom score = average of your answers in that domain (0–4 scale, shown as 0–100). Lab score = 0.6 × the most out-of-range marker + 0.4 × the average of that domain's markers, where each marker is graded 0–100 against published clinical cutoffs. When both exist, the domain score = 60% symptoms + 40% labs. If you logged your journal in the last 14 days, 20% of the score comes from it: daily symptoms (I, O), sleep under 7 hours (O, B), low energy (N, O) and low mood (B).
Conditions where this domain weighs heavily
iClinical organizational scores based on the TOBIN framework. They group signals for review and are not validated diagnostic instruments or a medical diagnosis.
iDetection of an exposure does not establish that it caused a disease. This platform separates exposure, association, plausible mechanism, clinical evidence and demonstrated causation.