Vitamin D and folic acid deficiency

[LikeSilentRaindrops]

Looking for experiences of others - I’m 4 months postpartum and have been experiencing horrendous tiredness, exhaustion really. I went to the GP this week, reluctantly, as I thought he’d tell me it’s just normal new baby tiredness.

He ordered blood tests which have come back with the above deficiencies and I’m now on supplements to address. I’m just wondering, for others who have had these, what other symptoms might I have experienced that would be associated with these? And how long did it take the supplements to kick in? I’m desperate to shift this fatigue so I can parent my kids properly again.

[Violetroselily]

I had low folic acid so have been prescribed 5mg for 3 months to hopefully get me back to normal lengths. My main symptoms were fatigue, not feeling rested after a full nights sleep and dizziness/lightheadedness.

I started to feel better after 3-4 weeks of tablets. No lightheadedness at all and I have more energy.

Hope you are feeling better soon

[LikeSilentRaindrops]

Thanks Violet, do you feel ok in the morning now? At the moment, I feel like I could sleep forever, and I’m usually a morning person! I’m not sure if the double deficiency has doubled the fatigue, iykwim. Can’t wait to feel human again...

[Hecateh]

Do some googling on D deficiency - vitamin D is involved in everything our bodies do. Skin, bones, muscles, teeth, nails,

According to some, (evidence is weak but worth investigating) mood, MS, autism and even cancer.

Big pharma is not interested in research into how vitamins and minerals in general affect our health as there is no money in it. This can lead to both connections being missed and spurious connections being made.

I'm not giving advice here - it's up to you but I feel much healthier, less tired, better sleep and more energy through getting my deficiencies sorted. I am deficient due to surgery meaning I have absorption issues so things may be different for you.

[melmo26]

It took me 2-3 months to feel better the first time my levels dropped.
A few months after that it dropped again but the folic acid didnt fully help.
A few months it dropped to almost non existent. My gp said she had never personally seen the result so low, put me on folic acid for six months, again didn’t work so have decided to keep me on it permanently. I’m still waiting on my energy coming back and not falling asleep by lunchtime.

I hope it works out better for you, the last thing you need with a new baby is this extra tiredness.

[Hereshopingforimprovement]

I was deficient in both. Had joint pain, brain fog and felt exhausted all the time. Also anxiety and depression but not sure if that was related. Felt a bit better after 2 months or so.

[SpideyMom]

I need my bloods rechecked though im not sure how willing they will be as only had them done in March.

For the last 18 months I have been chronically fatigued to the point within an hour of waking up I am wishing the day away for bed. Its hurts to stay awake. I cry most of the time as i can't stop feeling this way. I feel shit and it makes me feel and even shitter mom as I literally have zero energy.
My bloods have always been 'normal' apart from severely deficient in vitamin D (supplemented for a year and on for life) and most recently raised folates. Dr is always baffled why I am so exhausted and always crying at her desk about it.
I can't take much more. I honestly feel like I could sleep for months or more. I feel rotton all the time and I don't want to feel like this being a mom. I'm desperate to feel better to be able to take him out and actually do things together

[LikeSilentRaindrops]

The experiences on here are so familiar - brain fog, wanting to fall asleep again as soon as I wake up. I’m slightly shocked that it’s likely to take months to feel more normal!

This will sound stupid, but I’ve never even considered vit deficiencies being particularly impactful; just assumed sufficiencies are ‘nice to haves’. Ridiculous of me, I realise.

Also yy to the anxiety / depression. Not full blown here, but definitely a newish tendency to feel overwhelmed / catastrophise/ feel down or flat.

[SpideyMom]

I've just had to find my post about Dandruff from last week. On there I was also complaining of my severe tiredness and exhaustion. I was directed to Sally Jacks TV Mum about her battle with exhaustion and honestly it was such a relief to hear her say that don't believe what the GP says when you feel like this. You can find her on Facebook, but her symptoms were just like mine. I've wrote down somewhere what I need to request in the FBC blood test, because there is specific data that is needed, and then get a copy and email it to a this doctor (on her post) who will be able to advise properly.

I believe she had to have an iron transfusion and she cannot believe how better she feels. I intend to call my doctor on Tuesday and request and appointment with the nurse to arrange for a new blood test and then I will email it and see what this doctor advises. I am at my wits end now. Its been at least 18 months now for me. I can't continue like this

[SpideyMom]

Or iron infusion, sorry

[LarkDescending]

If you have a vitamin D deficiency you may not be getting enough time outdoors (entirely understandable with a 4mo baby). There is a body of evidence to suggest vitamin D supplementation in those who are deficient doesn’t fully resolve issues which may be due to other sunlight-related body processes, such as the release of nitric oxide in the body.

Obviously take the supplements you have been given, but it may be worth also making an extra effort to have some safe sun exposure every day as well.