Thiamin is an essential nutrient that requires special attention as the body only stores 30-50 grams, about enough for 9-18 days, or a bit longer. This means stores of thiamin can easily be depleted.

Factors that can contribute to depleted stores include:

• not eating enough thiamin containing foods and/or having a thiamin containing supplement
• decreased absorption, and this can occur with a gastric bypass
• increased inactivation, and alcohol can do this
• higher metabolic needs, and having an operation can increase thiamin needs
• losing extra amounts, and this can happen due to vomiting, in the presence of diabetes, and with use of diuretics.

Food sources of thiamin include:

• Pork
• Tuna
• Vegemite
• Wholegrain cereals
• Nuts
• White bread (the government mandates fortification of flour).

Many multivitamins also contain thiamin. Such as:

• Bariatric multivitamins
• General multivitamins
• Thiamin supplements like Betavit (100 mg per capsule).

The complications from becoming deficient in thiamin can be catastrophic, even fatal, if not identified and treated appropriately. A thiamin deficiency can develop into a condition known as Wernicke’s Encephalopathy.

Early signs of depleted thiamin stores include:

• Poor balance
• Confusion and feeling a bit foggy
• Eye issues like double vision.

Read an ABC news article (from 2023) that is a sombre reminder about the importance of understanding the nutrition consequences of bariatric surgery, and seeking advice for those with expert knowledge.

A lived experience that is a sombre reminder about the importance of essential nutrients (CLICK TO READ)