Best vitamins for trying to conveive

[AmusedJadeTraybake]

Hi all, looking for advice on vitamins to take when trying to conceive. I'm over 35 with no known problems and a regular cycle. Been trying to conceive for 5 months. Would love to hear your positives and negatives about what you've tried!

Zita West Vitafem are the ones I’d recommend - a step up from your basic conception vitamins. I felt good taking them generally!

I'm 37. I'm on Proceive Max (for over 35s), Omega 3, 300mg of CoQ10 and vitamin D (was advised to take the last one by a fertility consultant on top of what's in the prenatal). I personally also take extra iron as I don't eat meat and iron is really important when TTC. It's worth doing a full blood count test to check all your levels so you can top anything up that's needed. 😊

Vitamin C, COQ10, collagen, folate (very important), Wild nutrition multivitamin and a varied diet. I ate and still do lots of eggs from grass fed chickens and grass fed and finished meat. Ox liver is the best if you can stomach it. Good luck

Also test your Vitamin D levels, your GP can send you for bloods.

Sorry to butt in - isn't there already Vit D in Proceive plus? It says 700% of the RDA

I tried for 5 cycles with only multivitamins. No luck. I then incorporated Inositol (for my irregular cycles - it helped them be consistently 33 days). I also took fish oil every night, vitamin d every other night and vitamin c alternating nights too.
I got my partner on the same vitamins minus inositol (wellman conception multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin d and vitamin c). Conceived quickly twice once we began this

So after some of the comments I received and researching which vitamins contained what, I decided on proceive max capsules. Started taking them the day before ovulation. Had normal for me breast pain on the day of ovulation and then nothing for two days, now had two days of not normal for me breast pain. @secondtimelucky87 have you found that proceive has caused you more breast pain than prior to taking? Or anyone else experienced excessive breast pain from taking their supplements?

I'm taking Proceive max and no breast pain here at all here (only been taking or about a week)

This is great advice and well researched if you have any sign of PCOS or your DH has weak sperm, low motility.

I'd be wary of taking folic acid supplements but that's just me.

I’m on Zita West Vitafem + Ubiquinol + Omega-3.

I was on Proceive Max + Omega-3, but all five cycles I used Proceive Max my cycle was weird (anovulation/late ovulation/randomly short luteal phases) - although NB there might have been other reasons for that, not sure it was the Proceive Max. I didn’t find anyone else saying it messed up their cycle.

Anyway swapped to Zita West this month and got my +ve test a couple of days ago. Again, can’t attribute that to the multivitamin though!

@secondtimelucky87 at what point in your cycle did you start taking the proceive? I’ve only been on it a week too

No PCOS or sperm count issues. Partner had been tested in a previous relationship and I have a son from a previous relationship. What puts you off folic acid supplements? I’ve found they have been suggested to me left right and centre

TLDR: if you want to be very careful take methylfolate acid NOT folic acid. My first child was born with autism - I took folic acid.
My second child I didn't supplement. He is slightly on the ASD spectrum but not nearly as challenged as my first child. ASD is in the family. I can't help but wonder if the folic acid was to blame. I think I almost certainly have the MTHFR gene. I felt so sick taking the folic acid supplement too but only did it as there's so much hype around it. I stopped in the end but probably too late.

From ChatGPT:

The MTHFR gene (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) plays a role in processing folate (vitamin B9) in the body, specifically in converting folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) into its active form, methylfolate. Mutations in the MTHFR gene can reduce the efficiency of this process, leading to a reduced ability to metabolize folic acid.
Folic Acid and MTHFR Mutations:

• Women with MTHFR mutations may have a harder time processing folic acid, leading to potentially higher levels of unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream if they take supplements containing folic acid.
• This is why some health experts suggest that individuals with MTHFR mutations (such as C677T or A1298C variants) might benefit from taking methylfolate (the active form of folate) instead of folic acid, to bypass the need for the MTHFR enzyme to convert it.

Autism Risk and Folic Acid:

• There has been some concern about the potential relationship between high levels of unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A few studies have shown that excessive folic acid supplementation during pregnancy could be associated with a higher risk of autism, but this is not conclusive, and the evidence remains limited.
• However, insufficient folate during pregnancy (whether due to MTHFR mutations or other reasons) is known to significantly increase the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. This is why folate supplementation is universally recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

Key Points to Consider:

1. MTHFR Mutations: Women with MTHFR mutations may have impaired folic acid metabolism, which is why methylfolate (the active form of folate) may be a better alternative.
2. Supplementation: For women with MTHFR mutations, taking methylfolate rather than folic acid may help ensure proper folate metabolism without accumulating unmetabolized folic acid.
3. Autism Risk: There is still ongoing research into the potential relationship between folic acid supplementation and autism risk. Most of the evidence points to concerns about excessive folic acid rather than the inability to process folic acid due to MTHFR mutations. At the same time, insufficient folate (due to poor processing or dietary intake) also carries risks for the baby.
4. Balanced Approach: It’s important to maintain a balanced approach to folate intake. Pregnant women, especially those with MTHFR mutations, should work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the best form and dosage of folate for their individual needs.

Conclusion:
While there is some evidence suggesting that excess folic acid may be linked to an increased risk of autism, the primary concern for women with MTHFR mutations is the ability to properly metabolize folate. Methylfolate is often recommended in these cases as it bypasses the need for MTHFR enzyme function, reducing the risk of unmetabolized folic acid. However, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider before making any changes to supplementation to ensure the right balance for both the mother and the developing child.

@PlopSofa so you mean folic acid versus food derived folate or methylfolate, the better absorbed version ?

Yes correct. Food derived folic acid is fine, stuff that occurs naturally like in chickpeas. But NOT folic acid fortified foods like it being put in orange juice or bread.

Methyfolate is better absorbed and the natural form. If you’re going to supplement use this one to be on the safe side. I wish I had. 17 years too late for me.

None of them make any difference in well conducted clinical trials, it's not worth wasting your money. Folic acid and vitamin D are all you need to take, plus a bog standard supermarket multi vitamin if you want to (just check it doesn't have vitamin A in it).

It's what I was told by a fertility consultant (to take it separately too). I am speaking to another clinic on Tuesday though so will clarify as I agree it's confusing and don't want to accidentally take too much.

Hiya @AmusedJadeTraybake I've been TTC my second for 19 months now so couldn't even tell you when in my cycle tbh. It's been so long!

So I actually don't get any breast pain at all anymore. I used to loads pre-pregnancy and in fact it was my first symptom! But after going through pregnancy and breastfeeding for a couple of years, it stopped!

Thanks @secondtimelucky87!! Please do let us know!!

@PlopSofa do you mind advising why you wish you had taken the methyfolate? Did you just take the normal supermarket folic acid?

Yes I took a supplement from boots, regular folic acid (FA).

My DD is autistic and some research shows as per above post that those with the MTHFR gene may not process FA well and the high levels in the blood may contribute to the risk of developing autism.

if I’d taken methyfolate perhaps this would not have occurred. I won’t ever know but knowing what I know now I would not take FA.

@overthinkersanonnymus

I’ve been taking Proceive (standard dose) for 4-5 months now and the breast pain has become unbearable! I usually get it from about 2-3DPO right until AF arrives. I’m going to stop taking them this month and just take folic acid, CoQ10, omega 3, Vitamin D and iron. It is a lot but I feel like all of them have separate benefits and I need to take Vit D and iron anyway.

I take the cheap Boots own brand folic acid/vitdc (silver plastic pot with tiny pills). Nothing was happening for a long time. Started taking coq10 in November, got pregnant in December. Maybe coincidence, or maybe it did improve egg quality (I’ve just turned 39).

@Kateb149 thank you so much for your input. It’s both comforting and yet disappointing to hear 🤣 I’m comforted that I’ve found someone who is experiencing the same thing because I’ve searching the internet high and low and everyone everywhere insists it’s not possible for the proceive to effect my breast pain - I even emailed the company and they say they’ve never heard of such a thing! However, it’s disappointing because I was really hoping I would be coincidentally pregnant. AF is due in 3/4 days/Monday and I’ve been convinced I am pregnant. I’ve obsessively taken 3 pregnancy tests in the last 2 days, obviously all negative but still holding a tiiiiny bit of hope 🥲