Aono S, Yamada Y, Keino H, Hanada N, Nakagawa T, Sasaoka Y et al
A 2023 systematic review noted that gastrointestinal side effects like constipation, nausea, and diarrhoea were more prevalent during the dose-escalation phase of tirzepatide, particularly in individuals who had pre-existing digestive sensitivities
So people at greatest risk for deficiency include those with low stomach acid (e.g., older adults and people on proton pump inhibitors or antacids) or low IF production (known as pernicious anemia), people on medications that interfere with B12 absorption (such as metformin), people who have had gastric surgery, those with GI conditions that impair nutrient absorption (like celiac or Crohn's disease), and people on vegan and vegetarian diets
Laura Kostrzewski, a San Diego native, completed her undergraduate degree at California Polytechnic State University, earning a BS in animal science with minors in Spanish and Psychology