Megaloblastic Anemia?

ladybray · January 2017

I just found out that I have megaloblatic anemia. It has to do with problems with folic acid and B12... both ridiculously important to a fetus. I am sort of freaking out as my medication for it is delayed a few days now. Anyone else run into this?

tuxielove93 · January 2017

I haven't run into this, but if you're looking to add B12 to your diet, nutritional yeast is a great one. It's basically a spice (although you use it in larger quantities) that you can add to just about any food you want to. It tastes slightly cheesy, but mostly just adds a nice depth to the flavors of the food. Definitely for savory dishes and great with pasta. I normally add about 1/8 of a cup to almost all of my dinner and sometimes my lunches depending on what it is. Almost any health food store will have it. Just make sure you get one that is fortified with it.
As for folic acid, I know for sure beans have it, so you can try adding hummus or black bean salsa or something like that to your diet. Also the following fruits are great sources of folate (same thing as folic acid, different form): oranges, papaya, grapefruit, grapes, banana, cantaloupe and strawberries.

bostonlady-2 · January 2017

Megaloblastic anemia can be caused by problems in folic acid, B12 or both. Do you have a fairly normal diet and live in the US? It's extremely unusual to have folic acid deficiency in the US because so many foods are fortified. Thus, I sincerely doubt folic acid is the problem. Since this is the one critical for neural tube development, I hope that's of some consolation! Vitamin B12 is present in animal products/meats, but not in vegetables. There are B12 supplements over the counter that you could ask your doctor about until the medications come in.

I'm not sure how or if it effects the baby, but in general I keep reading how excellent the fetus is at getting what it needs from you from whatever is around. Sorry you're going through this!

mj8215 · January 2017

+1 to what @Bostonlady said above, plus wanted to add that it could also be an issue with processing B12, i.e. your intake might be normal but it's not getting processed correctly. This is something your doctor can figure out, starting with blood tests to determine your folate and b12 levels - have they done those yet?
sorry you're going through this, it's very stressful, especially while things are up in the air... hang in there!!

ladybray · January 2017

Yeah my diet is fairly normal and I live in the US. I am really perplexed by the B12 deficiency because I eat eggs for breakfast daily. I was vomiting almost daily up until week 14 but managed to keep my prenatal vitamins down except for a few days. I am concerned I am not processing it correctly. My doctor determined the anemia due to results from a blood test.

BusyZee · January 2017

@ladybray I'm sorry your concerned I hope you can quickly resolve this! I have been taking food sources of folic acid (folate) and my prenatal also has food derived folate. ... on days where I couldn't have any food sources of folate (spinach,meat) I also had Pure Encapsulations Brand Folate. My prenatal is megafoods brand baby and me 2. If your having zinc supplement at the same time as your prenatal you could be affecting how your body processes folate. Also, try drinking lots of fresh apple juice (at least a full glass everyday) it really helps with anemia since it helps you absorb all these nutrients.

My mum told me that with me she became severely anemic and had apple juice every single day and it resolved most of it.

Do check with your doctor before following any of this because everyone is different. I also take beef liver capsules for b12 called Perfect Dessicated Liver but that's my personal preference I don't follow a lot of standard guidelines so make sure everything works for you within your guidelines.

Eta: nutritional yeast will only have b12 if it is labeled as fortified with b12 the nutrional yeast itself doesn't have b12.

mj8215 · January 2017

ladybray said:

Yeah my diet is fairly normal and I live in the US. I am really perplexed by the B12 deficiency because I eat eggs for breakfast daily. I was vomiting almost daily up until week 14 but managed to keep my prenatal vitamins down except for a few days. I am concerned I am not processing it correctly. My doctor determined the anemia due to results from a blood test.

Did your doctor check your b12 and folate yet? What are they? Again, if they are normal, the issue could be processing.

Have you had any symptoms? Shortness of breath, fatigue? How about any numbness or tingling? How low is your Hb?

ladybray · January 2017

I go to the doctor again Tuesday. She didnt give me specific numbers. My heart rate was fine. No tingling. I have been tired a lot but I have an almost 2 year old so I don't know if it is anything abnormal. I have upped my green leafy intake and will look into the apple juice. I think this is just so weird, I eat like a normal person ( I mean more pizza than normal because cravings but I get spinach on it lol). I just don't understand how this is a thing.

mj8215 · January 2017

I agree it is weird! I think it is important to look at your exact numbers before making any decisions / major changes in your diet. I hope you will get answers on Tuesday, and again I'm sorry you have to go through this additional stress. Hang in there!!

chamomile-2 · January 2017

This can sometimes be a manifestation of an MTHFR mutation, so I would ask if they're checking for that. Basically means your body doesn't process folic acid into the form that can be used, so even though you're eating enough, it looks as though you aren't. Hope you get answers soon!

yellow1daisy · January 2017

I was going to say was @Chamomile just said.

I am homozygous for the C677T MTHFR gene mutation and I have to take methylated vitamins in order for my body to absorb them. I take methylfolate (methylated form of folate) in addition to a glutathione pathway formula---multivitamin of sorts (had other methylated b vitamins).

You should try liposomal methylcobolamin (methylated form of B12) and see if that improves your situation. Seeking Health is a good brand that I've had success with and they're available on Amazon.

Good luck!

BusyZee · January 2017

@yellow1daisy @Chamomile that's exactly why I was taking methylated folate aswell not that iv been diagnosed but just to be safe.

ladybray · February 2017

Good news it is the MFTHR gene not megloblastic anemia. It is not severe I have a prescription vitamin to take. I had it with my son as well and had no problems. It is so hard to get information over the phone and my appt moved to Friday. Finally got the info I needed! Oh and it's a BOY!

ladybray · February 2017

I didnt know I had with my 21 month old

littlemagen&ben · February 2017

I have the MTHFR C677 I take methylfolate and blood thinner shots, does anyone else have to take the shots as well?

nellin-2 · February 2017

Hope you get some answers soon! Try and eat healthily but I wouldn't stress or make drastic changes until you have some more medical advice.

yellow1daisy · February 2017

littlemagen&ben said:

I have the MTHFR C677 I take methylfolate and blood thinner shots, does anyone else have to take the shots as well?

After having 4 miscarriages is when we discovered my MTHFR. I thought I was going to need blood thinner shots as well (some REs will give them for recurrent miscarriages regardless of whether you have a proven blood clotting issue as part of their protocol), but my RE said it was not necessary. Later on, an MFM confirmed this for me as well. He said MTHFR in and of itself is not a blood clotting disorder.

I do take a natural blood thinner called nattokinase. That and the methylated vitamins and I'm now my second seemingly healthy pregnancy.

I would follow whatever advice your doc gives you.

littlemagen&ben · February 2017

Are they checking your homocysteine levels? That's the part of MTHFR that can cause clots. It gets to high when your taking in to much unconverted folic acid/B12. My sister went without the shots but had her levels checked frequently and balanced her diet. My doctor is a specialist in MTHFR pregnancy. He treats it like a miracle drug. I hate doing the shots, their SO PAINFUL!!!! And it doesn't help knowing other women with MTHFR are doing different things however at the same time I'm not willing to stop the shots after losing three babies last year. I'm curious about this natural blood thinner tho! I guess it's just luck of the draw with MTHFR, some women need lovnox while others don't I guess

yellow1daisy · February 2017

They are not checking my homocysteine levels either actually. But I have had a prothrombin test in the past and according to that, my blood clots normally. I know lovenox injections are awful haven spoken to other ladies with recurrent loss problems, and if it's any consolation, I was hoping they would put me on them out of fear of having another loss, but I guess I didn't need them.

I can say for sure MTHFR affects people differently. Being homozygous for the C677T, it's likely both my parents have it, and yet they never had any fertility problems at all. My mom never had a miscarriage and most of my siblings were oopsie babies. Most of my siblings haven't had issues either. Lucky us eh?

mew8456 · May 2019

Hi, I'm dealing with the same issue. I know this is old but wanted to see if you or baby ended up having any further issues. Thank you

Megaloblastic Anemia?

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