Question: I am pregnant at 25 weeks. Just found that I am very low on vitamin B12.
23 week scan was normal?
Is my baby going to be affected with this B12 low level?
I have now started B12 but what about the period i was already low?

Hello Doctor,

Thank you very much for your reply. We are somewhat relieved.

I have attached latest blood report which shows many readings.

1> Would you be able to advise on any abnormal readings? especially on ESR and C-RP?.

2> I have started B12 injection now in addition to the multivitamin supplement. Hopefully my B12 will come to normal now. I have read horror stories on internet due to B12 deficiency. As you said my 23 weeks scan was normal, I should not worry. However, just want to clarify again. Are all abnormality picked up during 23 week scan?? I mean if my baby had some defect due to B12, would 23 week scan have shown it? I want to add that I had two scans at 23 weeks by two different clinics. Both found all normal.

3> I understand that neural development occurs early in the pregnancy. Does that mean my low level B12 after 23 weeks scan is not a major worry? Or it can still affect the baby's development?

4> Due to continuous mild/moderate nausea throughout pregnancy, I was not able to eat as much as I wanted. My weight has gained only 1.5kg since start of the pregnancy. I am now 26 weeks pregnant. I was 75kg (little fat) at the start and now 76.5kg. Do you think this is normal. Would you suggest any specific diet now onwards? means any protein specific or calcium etc. Doctors here do not suggest anything.

Sorry for long query but HealthCareMagic does not allow too many questions in short period and once they had blocked my questions. Also, we worry much because we have history of two early miscarriages and one ectopic.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks doctor for your reply.

I should have written more detailed reply. Sorry.

I had first scan done at 13 weeks (Nuchal scan - NT scan) to rule out spina bifida, down syndrome etc. All was normal. Then at 22 weeks Anomaly scan where they did check thoroughly like heart, brain, kidneys, lips, abdomen, blood flow, placenta, measurements (BPD, HC, AC, FL etc). All was normal. Again we did privately similar Anomaly detailed scan at different clinic at 23 weeks. All was normal. They found I had two fibroids but they were Subserosal so they should not affect anything.

The consultant suggested we do not need to do any special blood tests as all scan results were within the range.

I had urine dipstick tests every week and latest was yesterday. No infection or protein in the urine. Doctor here said sometimes due to pregnancy ESR rises.

They have started B12 injections after the blood tests (at 24 weeks pregnancy) which I have to take every three days. I am still awaiting for another appointment with the doctor what they want to do according to the other blood results.

Now, you have complete idea about my history. Please read my previous question in detail and reply to each point if possible. Is my weight gain of 1.5kg ok or very low?

I write long reply because HCM does not allow to ask many separate questions in short period.

I hope you can understand.

I await your reply.

Regards and Happy Diwali.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply.

I do not have fever or other abnormal feeling. I am able to eat small amounts at a time so I am taking fruits, nuts, milk, lunch, dinner throughout the day.

I saw private consultant today and showed him my blood results. He was not concerned about anything. He said low B12 will not cause any problems now. He said ESR and CRP are higher side but they are common during the pregnancy and also because I have mild anemia. Since I do not have urine infection, fever or other symptoms he said no need to worry and no tests are needed.

At the beginning of pregnancy, as a standard process they had done Rubella etc tests. Here in UK they do not do TORCH tests anymore during the middle of pregnancy unless something is suspected.

Only advise I got from private consultant today is to repeat the blood tests in one week's time. Other than that nothing to worry.

We have growth scan booked for next week and also blood tests.

I would like to add that on 04/10/17 blood tests my ESR was 81 and on 12/10/17 it was 51.

Do you think I should request any extra tests other than FBC and haemoglobin?

I hope you will have similar advise "do not worry", right?

Regards.

Hello dear doctor,

Sorry for late reply. Got busy in Diwali meetings during the weekend.

Yes, I am suffering from Hypothyroidism from long time. Before my IVF was started I was on Levothyroxine. Since last one year my TSH is under control. The last thyroid test was done on 10/10/2017 and TSH was 1.9.

Doctor here says as long as my TSH is under 4.0, I am ok.

Do you suggest anything at the moment?

As you know, becoming first time mother is always worrying. Now I am thinking about the delivery. Here doctors prefer natural delivery unless some complication. I have read some stories that they even do not care if my labor goes on for two days.

I am thinking of putting my baby under as less stress as possible.

What do you suggest? Shall I agree to natural delivery or if caesarean is easily availalbe, I should go for C-section? Strictly to be safe side. What is advised? What is safer?

Regards.

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for your reply.

I am on 75mcg of Levothyroxine. The same dose I have been taking for the last one year.

Two different doctors here said they are ideally looking for TSH between 1.50 and 2.50 which I have. What is your ideal TSH readings? What can happen with lower TSH?

I have my midwife appointment this weekend. They will do standard blood tests. Do you recommend any extra tests?

I also have growth scan on Thursday. I hope baby will be fine. Do you think they will do anomaly type scan or just baby's measurements?

Regards.