B12 levels and pregnancy

[yogalove]

Hi guys, I have been treated for pernicious anaemia for 10yrs now 3-monthly injections. I am currently trying to get pregnant been off the pill 2yrs but only been actively trying a couple of months. I just wondered if anybody had any advise regarding b12. I have found every GP I have ever seen to be really unhelpful with my condition. I did see them a while back mentioning about wanting to start a family soon and at that point my luteal phase was short, under 10days. As always no help so I am currently having acupuncture and trying various things to extent it and now averaging 11 days. I have read links with low b12 and infertility and not sure how the low b12 is affecting things?? My latest bloods showed b12 to be 600 so fine but my MCH level was high, just above the normal range? Macrocyclic anaemia?? Apparently often due to low b12?? At the time I was suffering symptoms, the doctors have completely ignored this so not sure if it’s something I need to follow up on?? My acupuncturist has suggested maybe trying to go to fertility specialist so they may monitor the b12 more closely while trying to conceive?? Sorry a bit rambling but Just wondering if anyone has an advice and whether pernicious anaemia affected your ability to conceive?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

have you had your folate levels checked - main causes of macrocytosis are B12 and folate deficiency.

serum B12 is not a very helpful test for monitoring B12 levels post loading shots - its good for identifying an absorption problem because it measures the amount in your blood which will fall over time if you have an absorption problem. It doesn't tell you what is happening in your cells and a lot of people seem to respond to B12 shots by making the process that lets B12 into your cells less efficient meaning that the normal range just doesn't apply and you need to go by symptoms in determining frequency of shots.

You could ask for homocysteine and MMA tests to be done as these are products that build up if your cells don't have enough B12 for them to run properly - but they can also be raised by other things.

[yogalove in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you Gambit62 I have just signed up with new GP surgery so want to go in soon feeling good and discuss those last results and want to be armed with questions will ask about folate I think that was checked. I really wish the GPS would get on board with treating symptoms, fingers crossed my next doctor will be more interested?!

[Marz]

As PA is auto-immune it may be a good idea to check your thyroid levels - in particular Hashimotos - which is also auto-immune. Low thyroid can go hand in hand with B12D and PA. Also low thyroid is responsible for low fertility and difficulties in becoming pregnant in some cases ... happy to help

[yogalove in reply to Marz]

Thank you Marz I will ask the doctor about Thyroid next time I go in although I think this has been tested?

[Marz in reply to yogalove]

Yes I am sure you are right - sadly all they test in the NHS is the TSH and if it is range they declare you normal/fine/ok - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone comes from the Pituitary Gland and tells the Thyroid to produce T4 ( an inactive hormone ) - this then has to convert into the Active T3. Nutrient deficiencies can slow down the conversion of T4 into T3. Also good levels of Folate - Ferritin and VitD are needed.

I have been a member on Thyroid UK here on HU for over 7 years so have read and learned a great deal from the experiences of others. Sadly Docs rarely have a clue about the Thyroid and it's effects on the whole body. They are trained that the TSH test is the only test. Take a look at thyroiduk.org to check out my musings above ! You can also click onto my username and read my own jolly bio - describing my health journey. Only takes a couple of minutes ... Also GP's/Endos give little credence to Thyroid anti-bodies as they know very little about anti-bodies - as demonstrated by the lack of knowledge with B12/PA issues ...

youtube.com/watch?v=tOb2POQ...(Not working as expected?)

[flosslechops]

ask your gp about a trial of cyclogest,'a natural female sex hormone which works by adjusting the hormonal balance within the body for the treatment of PMS,post natal depression and women who need extra progesterone while undergoing treatment for assisted reproductive technology(ART) programme'