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Original poster

Whether to carry on taking Vit B complex in early pregnancy?

27 replies

lilysma · 13/11/2010 09:03

Hi, am wondering if anyone can help. I have been taking Vit B complex for a couple of months to try to help with premenstrual spotting and it seems to have done the job. Last month the spotting was much better and yesterday I got a BFP Smile. It's very early days and I have quite bad backache, which is making me worry.

My dilemma is whether to carry on taking the Vit B now. I have read that it can be harmful to the foetus (not sure how much is harmful) but am also worried that if I stop taking it now the pregnancy will fail (I realise it may well do anyway). Anyone got any knowledge about this?

OP posts:
BollocksToThis · 13/11/2010 09:08

No specialist knowledge but B vitamins are water soluble so you don't get a harmful build up like you would from vitamin A. I took Berocca during pregnancy and there were no contraindications, and that's just B vitamins.

BollocksToThis · 13/11/2010 09:09

And congratulations!

Original poster
lilysma · 13/11/2010 09:23

Thanks, I wonder if its related to the levels of the Vits? I'll look at the levels in Berocca.

OP posts:
lilly13 · 13/11/2010 09:32

Most vitamin supplements unfortunately do not get absorbed by our bodies. It is best that you try to eat a lot of vitamin B and folate rich foods and switch to a pregnancy vitamin complex (most of these contain B vitamins anyway... I am taking one by viridian - expensive, but quite good). Congratulations!!!

Original poster
lilysma · 13/11/2010 17:26

Thanks - but it really looks like it did make a difference at the higher dosage - had been having 4+ days of spotting for well over a year and taking normal prenatal vitamins (Trying to conceive ones) which have lower levels of Vits B6 and B12. After 6 weeks of taking higher dosage Vit B complex, the spotting was dramatically reduced. Possibly a coincidence but seems unlikely. So am worried both about continuing to take and stopping it IYSWIM?

OP posts:
Eurostar · 13/11/2010 17:38

lilly13 good quality supplements most certainly DO get absorbed into the body. I know this as someone who has been deficient in various vitamins (diagnosed by GP blood tests) and seen levels rise (through further blood testing) with over the counter supplementation.

lilysma - take the supplements to your GP so they know the levels of vitamins in them, they should check the evidence and let you know, there will be guidelines about this.
Or trawl though these guidlines yourself
guidance.nice.org.uk/PH11

Does your supplement contain folic acid? Definitely don't stop the folic acid if you are taking it.

I too have had my menstrual cycle immensely improved in regularity and less PMT through supplementing with good quality B vits and magnesium. It saddens me that lots of women go through needless discomfort (not to mention young girls getting put on the pill to help with period pains!) when this simple supplementation can help. Sadly our foods are so drained of good vits and minerals due to intensive farming that even eating a good leafy green diet is often not enough these days.

Original poster
lilysma · 13/11/2010 17:50

Thanks Eurostar. I suppose I have been thinking GP will just tut at me for 'self-medication'! Thanks for the link to the guidelines - I will trawl them!

OP posts:
gembay · 13/11/2010 19:48

I read somewhere (cant remember where - sorry!) that you should keep taking B vits 6 & 12 once you are preg as if you stop it can cause early miscarriage.

Like I say I cant back this up with any evidence but I did suffer an early mc this year, and I had stopped taking my B vits after I got my BFP and have always wondered if this was the reason that preg didnt work out.

hth

Original poster
lilysma · 13/11/2010 21:33

Thanks Gembay, this is my fear! Feel in quite a dilemma and not sure who will be best to talk to in terms of 'experts' but I guess maybe try the GP...

OP posts:
Fedupttcnosuccess · 13/11/2010 22:04

What dosage of B6 and B6 are you ladies talking about? Are they agronomical amounts or negligible?why not the B complex? Or is that a puny size? Sorry for hijacking just very curious and ready and wiu g to give anything a go after 2 years+ of ttc with 'no' results!

Fedupttcnosuccess · 13/11/2010 22:06

Astronomical amounts even! Sorry for typos- on phone...

gembay · 13/11/2010 22:09

im taking about 200mg a day..

Fedupttcnosuccess · 13/11/2010 22:19

Individually Gembay or as a multi?

Fedupttcnosuccess · 13/11/2010 22:20

I read somewhere that the RDA recommendations were for tiny amounts, is that correct?

Original poster
lilysma · 14/11/2010 09:21

I am taking B complex which has 50 mg B6 and 50 micrograms B 12 on top of a general multivit which has 10 mg B6 and 20 micrograms B 12. The NIH says the RDA in pregnancy is 2.6 mcg of B12 and most sources I can find say 1.9 mg of B6 although they vary ( and my prenatal vitamins contain 10 mg!) So it is very confusing, but I think it is safe to say that I am taking well in excess of the RDA!

Not sure that GP will necessarily know TBH

Re taking Vits B to improve luteal phase I have seen doses from 50 mg to 200 mg recommended. Fedup sorry to hear about your long haul TTC. I do know how you feel I think. Do you suspect any problems with your luteal phase e.g. lots of premenstrual spotting?

OP posts:
gembay · 14/11/2010 17:13

Fedup - Im taking a B vit complex from holland and barratt which has 100mg of B12 and B6 and an extra 100mg of B6 (most multivits only have about 2 mg of B6)

Fedupttcnosuccess · 14/11/2010 19:30

Lilysma: thanks for kind thoughts. No luteal phase defects, spotting etc. Text book style regular 28 day cycle, ovulate mid month: all tests have proved this. But pregnancy still eluding us! Oh well...
Gembay: hope the vita are working for you, certainly more than the RDA: but if that's what it takes...
FX for you girls! X

Original poster
lilysma · 14/11/2010 21:45

Thanks. I think I am going to have to stop taking the extra vits as it is clear the levels are too much, and hope to god it stays...

OP posts:
Vics79 · 15/11/2010 15:00

Hi - I have been trying to conceive since May and I have just been for an ovarian reserve test and to talk about a short luteal phase at the london fertility clinic. The doc there did a scan and basically said he couldn't see any follicles in one ovary. He said that wasn't good. I have a second scan in 2 weeks but told me not to worry until they get the full picture. Obviously I am not just worried but close to tears. Has anyone had experience of this?

Vics79 · 15/11/2010 15:01

Sorry - posted in the wrong section!

Fedupttcnosuccess · 15/11/2010 15:11

Vicks: don't worry! So sorry about the diagnosis. I know it's easier said than done, but do try not to worry- as the dr said, let them get the fuller picture; the prognosis may not be as dim as you are fearing. Hope everything works out for you.

nickstermum · 18/11/2010 07:42

Just thought i would comment, my BVit complex have been suggsted and recommended by a nutritionist (due to MC) and whilst it says n the bottle not to take during pregnancy i have been advised to continue taking them. (as have most women over on the MC forum)

I wouldnt worry. B complex helps with healthy cell division etc....

Fedupttcnosuccess · 18/11/2010 08:55

Thanks for updating everyone on this thread nickstermum. Very generous and thoughtful. Congratulations on your pregnancy. x

nickstermum · 18/11/2010 09:12

Urm... not pregnant! YET! still trying after MC. I have been advised to continue taking them if i conceive i should have put Blush

Fedupttcnosuccess · 18/11/2010 10:20

So so sorry to have jumped the gun! Also embarrassed! Hope it happens very soon for you Hunni FX xxx