I fairly recently found out I was pregnant. I’m now 12 weeks.
I was registered at a GP surgery where they were fairly good with injections - I had mine every four weeks & the nurse gave me supplies to self inject at the beginning of COVID.
However, I’ve had to move Drs surgery as I moved area. At my first midwife appointment yesterday, he said that he would be retesting my B12 levels to make sure my levels weren’t too high as it could be “toxic”....
Am I right in saying that they shouldn’t retest unless you’re clear of supplements for at least four months? & that as B12 is water soluble, it can’t be toxic and there’s no upper limit?
When I was diagnosed, my level was 73! And I felt so ill. I really can’t imagine going back to feeling that unwell, especially when pregnant. I’ve actually increased the frequency I’m self injecting at home based on the research I found about B12 deficiency in pregnancy.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!
H
Written by
hannahjt
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
You are right . You cannot overdose on B12 — it’s not because it is water-soluble — B9 (folic acid ) is also water soluble but can be overdosed . There are scientific papers in which you can read about the fact that B12 cannot be overdosed You can find references to this . In the pinned posts on the right . (Stichting B12 Tekort.nl ) Ask your doctor where you can read about B12 being “ toxic “ You cannot find any reference in any scientific paper for that . It is nonsense . You need to keep your B12 injections at a frequency that will keep all B12 deficiency symptoms at bay , plus of course a daily 400mcg Folic acid tablet ( vitamin B9) that you are probably taking anyhow as you are pregnant .There is no need to be re-tested — Your doctor can read that in the guidelines for treatment . Your levels of B12 will be high and need to be . But they will never be “ toxic” . Best wishes .
Yes , one has to walk a fine line . But I’m afraid your doctor is TOTALLY WRONG in saying that B12 can ever be toxic .when it is being supplemented at high levels . It is a cause for concern if B12 is not being supplemented , as it can indicate liver problems . He may be mislead by that . Or he is muddling up B12 with another water soluble B vitamin. There are such a lot of B vitamins .! All the very best with it anyhow .
I agree. It worries me so much that people that are meant to be there to look after us don’t seem to know enough about B12D to make sure we are getting the correct treatment 😕 I have enough supplies to self inject all through my pregnancy, so even if he does take them away, I have no intention of stopping them while I’m pregnant and I will have the fight to get them reinstated afterwards!
You are doing the right thing hannahjt . We have to look after ourselves if we have P.A. / B12 deficiency, as long as the medical profession remains in such ignorance about it . You also have someone else to consider now ! I have given up on my GP and all the other GPs in the surgery . I have a problem with my feet due to late and then under treatment . I just only self-inject . It is so cheap really . It costs less than a cup of coffee ,and there is the convenience of not having to travel to the surgery .
I'd keep self injecting and just remind them they shouldn't test while in injections.
Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and birth. I'd aim for hypnobirthing if you get time. I liked the one by Maggie Howell. Really helped me with my 2nd and 3rd.
And avoid the gas and air at all costs as it depletes B12, if it isn't going smoothly or there are complications get an epidural instead.
Because I self inject once a month I was once told by a GP to talk about the dangers of to much B12 with a pharmacist and just to be able to say that I had if I saw that GP again I spoke to the pharmacist at the surgery who said that I was not going to overdose by doing that.Perhaps you could have a chat with a pharmacist in your area and ask for some info that you could take back to your GP. All best wishes and many congratulations on your pregnancy
Do take your folic acid 400mcg and a multivit designed for pregnant women.
Your midwife can advise.
I was amazed by the way blood test results when pregnsnt ferritin at one stage can go really high then drop right down.
Again ask your midwife what to expect
Keep up your b12.
Discuss with your doctor about not needing to test b12 levels
You will be 'under' a consultant si the midwife will confer with him/ her. I think this is your best route.
At your booking appointment is a good time.
Be aware that b12 is depleted if you need 'gas and air' in labour.
Also it can deplete after deliverynatualky.
In some contributes to the underlying causes for post natal depression.
So a reason to keep up your regime.
Gps seem to lack knowledge and do b12 tests then can stop treatment then start again when you are ill as levels down.
On your consult.
Use the information given above already and add once on b12 inje tions levels are meant to stay high.
Higher than if you were never defcient.
Say politely that you may well store b12 in your liver but your understanding is that you are totally dependent on what b12 you have in your bloodstream as the mechanism is broken to utilises it from stores.
State your regime is keeping you well if it is.
I have found this tact has kept one Gp onside which as you say is important for your relationship.
Hello there, congratulations!! Wondering how you are doing. I was diagnosed B12 deficient a year ago (146). I was so ill with many symptoms. A year later I would say I am 50% better but I want another child sooner than later. I am 35 and my son is 4. I am trying to conceive even tho it scares me because I still suffer symptoms regularly. I self inject weekly and it also concerns me about the safety of this in pregnancy. I am wondering how you and your little one are doing and how frequently you are injecting. Thank you!
Hiya. I increased injections from monthly to weekly and so far me and the baby are doing fine 😊 I’m making sure I take the folic acid and eating plenty of potassium to go with them. I’ll be 27 weeks tomorrow. Good luck & hope you feel better soon x
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.
Frequency of B12 injections
Can you just recover from a B12 deficiency?
Is it B12 deficiency?
Anaphylactic shock to B12 injection
Vitamin b12/Folate deficiency
