From a LLL Leader:  A woman who didn't think she was pregnant was taking
10,000 IU of vit A a day.  Turns out she *is* pregnant.  Doctor told her
doses that high in first trimester are linked to birth defects.  She's
scared, and is hoping that the fact that she's also nursing maybe means the
fetus wasn't getting all *that* much - that some of it was being shunted
off to the nursling.

Lawrence says "because A and D are stored in tissues, the impact of dietary
supplement is more difficult to measure.  Milk levels do not change until a
certain level is achieved in the stores.  High dietary levels of beta
carotene do not appear to result in excessive levels of either vitamin A or
beta carotene.  Increase in vitamin A in the diet of undernourished women
does increase its level in the milk."  R&A concur (concurs?).  Sounds to me
as if nursing was *not* taking excess vit A out of circulation, but I have
no idea to what extent she should be concerned about the fetus.  Any
thoughts for her?

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, LLLL  Ithaca, NY