Is standard procedure to just drink Mutation every time? I got 5 before D14, drank 2 already.
With 3 remaining, I can't help but wonder what other great abilities I might develop... I struggled a bit going down, occasionally got pretty close to death, so I'm not sure how much I can risk as this point.
I usually keep mutation potions for when I get threatening mutations from malmutating monsters. They will often remove some bad mutations while giving you a positive one or two. Bad mutations like weakness, dopiness, clumsiness, or even deformed (if you have good armor skill) can often be ignored, but ones that restrict your ability to use scrolls and potions are more threatening.
If survivability is a problem, it helps to equip a shield and start training shields, dodging, and armor to like 10-15, and maybe go higher once you are in Vaults.
Also, increase intelligence, getting it reduced to 0 will give you some nasty permanent debuffs until you get back above 0. 8 is usually enough for all game.