I am just after some clarity on the subject and I know many of you here are very knowledgeable. I'm just a newbie to B12!!
I recently read some info and research that says the use of nitrous oxide renders the B12 in your body inactive. I also read that these inactive forms of B12 stay in the body and show up in the serum B12 test giving a false positive as it were.
I was just wondering how much of an impact nitrous oxide during labour might have. I got three canisters of gas and air when in labour with my first, and I know it is mixed with oxygen but I was wondering what effect this would have on B12 levels long term. Or might it only have a short term effect? What even happens to the inactive B12, does it just float around forever?
Musings at half one in the morning because I can't sleep.
Written by
brighter84
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi brighter84 I'm not a medically trained person but one of the "admins" on here, fbirder who is more knowledgeable has commented previously on the effects of nitrous oxide on B12 levels. Hopefully he will be able to help you.
I am interested in that topic too. With my first and third child , ( now aged 24 & 18) I used plenty of gas and air during labour and both have dyslexia. my recovery time after these 2 deliveries was long. With my middle one, I didn't need any as he arrived very quickly and he has no learning issues, plus I bounced back real quick after him. All 3 were breast fed.
3 years ago my eldest went through terrible time with stomach issues, mental health issues. Doctors wanted to put her on anti depressants but we ignored them and focused on diet and CBT. She missed a year of uni. A year ago when I was discovered I was B12 deficient I told her to get tested as she ticked about half of the symptoms on Sally P's list in her book.( loads of neuron signs that she hadn't told us about) Her active B12 was 40 so she was given loading injections privately but her gp refused to give her any more so she is in 10000mcg SL daily, but she is currently really struggling.
My youngest also suffers hugely from fatigue. His Serum B12 was 375, ferritin 35 ( 30 -400) folic acid 20 (9-60). Vit D 54 (75-100) So doctors don't consider he has any problems.
Both of them frequently get ill with whatever is going around.
The middle one has hardly ever gets sick and is full of energy.
I know in Sally P's book, she does seem to make a link between maternal B12 deficiency -> child deficiency and learning difficulties.
Would be interesting to know other people's thoughts / experiences too. Maybe this is all coincidental ?
Interestingly my mum is also B12 deficient. I got her tested last year too and that explains lots of her symptoms which the gp always put down to her diabetes. She noticed a huge difference when she took B12 supplements.
Interesting. But was gas and air the only variable between births and pregnancies? For example I had more g&a with my first than my second (my first has had WAY more health issues) but I also had antibiotics during pregnancy and my grandfather passed away during my second trimester so stress was high. It's a minefield but we can't really blame ourselves for poor health in our children. I try not to at least. I try and keep their diet good and the chemicals they come into contact with low and keep an eye on their symptoms.
Hidden has your daughter tried Methylcobalamin injections if she has only had Hydroxy and not found benefit. May be worth a try. Your sons levels are all too low, I'm afraid it will be up to you all to read and learn all you can in order to optimise health unless you can afford a great intregative health practitioner....if that's possible in your country.
You do get brilliant advice on here and you should post again yourself.
I already have him on supplements which are helping. I have very little faith in GPs ( both in UK & NL) with regards to B12. I even see a Dutch haematogist for another problem and she knows nothing about B12 deficiency.
Interestingly, I have lived in both Netherlands and Germany. In both these countries Gas and air is not allowed for labour. I will try and find out why its not allowed.
Her injections worked brilliantly, it's just her regular gp refused to continue them. Thinking about taking her to the B12 clinic in Amsterdam when she next comes home.
a single use of nitrous oxide is unlikely to cause a deficiency unless you have a problem absorbing B12 from your diet and hence can't replace the deactivated B12 in your blood either from the stores in your liver (uses the same absorption mechanism as getting B12 from your diet) or from your diet.
I'm afraid I'm really unclear on what happens with the deactivated B12 though I would imagine that it will eventually be removed by kidneys and pass out of the body in urine.
No I believe my B12 deficiencies stem from hypothyroid from being under treated, so when my thyroid levels are okay I can better absorb B12. My serum levels have been pretty stable for years until just recently.
Thanks for the response. If only there was a hand guide for the human body eh??
There is a chapter in Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart's book "Could It Be B12; An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" that mentions effects of nitrous oxide on B12.
There is also a paediatric version of the above book called "Could It Be B12? Paediatric Edition: What Every Parent Needs to Know"
An internet search for "B12 deficiency nitrous oxide" threw up some interesting links.
Hi all, I have spoken to 3 midwives regarding this topic and none of them were even aware it was a side effect of nitrous oxide. As I am 41+1wks pregnant I was keen for some clarification.
Instead I have decided to load myself with 3 injections this week and 3 post delivery to hopefully counteract any unwanted fatigue.
I was diagnosed with PA 11 years ago and am on monthly cyanocobalamin injections. I may also have a prolactinoma but need an MRI post delivery to confirm this.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
PPI's and Nitrous Oxide....can anyone help!?
I know Nitrous Oxide can cause b12 deficiency, but could Nitrogen Dioxide do it too? 
B12 Def caused with Nitrous Oxide dental procedures?
Serious Nerve Damage from Use of Nitrous Oxide 
b12 and nitros oxide 
