nervous about mercury

I eat sushi at LEAST once a week and had no idea of the effects it could have on a baby.

I did some research and it could take up to a year for mercury levels to come down. I really don't want to wait a year.

Anyone else worried about mercury levels in their body?

Re: nervous about mercury

I was just thinking this...I eat tuna 1-2x / week

Re: nervous about mercury

I was nervous as well since all I really eat is fish and sushi (not raw fish though). Being as nuerotic as I am and planning to start TTC any day now... I talked to my doctor about it and there is a blood test that can test your mercury levels. My doctor assured me though that he would be totally shocked if my mercury levels were out of the normal range. He was right. I got the blood test done at quest and all was fine. All you have to do is fast from fish for three days and then take the blood test. Its worth it because if your levels are abnormal you might want to wait a few months.

Hope this helps

ETA: Its also good to know because my doctor said it is actually good to continue eating fish (the fish low in mercury only) at least once a week (but not more than twice) because fish actually is good for the baby in moderation...so its comforting to see that the fish you are eating hasn't put your mercury levels at a dangerous point.

Message edited 10/18/2006 3:24:54 PM.

Re: nervous about mercury

Posted by itsbabytime

I was nervous as well since all I really eat is fish and sushi (not raw fish though). Being as nuerotic as I am and planning to start TTC any day now... I talked to my doctor about it and there is a blood test that can test your mercury levels. My doctor assured me though that he would be totally shocked if my mercury levels were out of the normal range. He was right. I got the blood test done at quest and all was fine. All you have to do is fast from fish for three days and then take the blood test. Its worth it because if your levels are abnormal you might want to wait a few months.

Hope this helps

ETA: Its also good to know because my doctor said it is actually good to continue eating fish (the fish low in mercury only) at least once a week (but not more than twice) because fish actually is good for the baby in moderation...so its comforting to see that the fish you are eating hasn't put your mercury levels at a dangerous point.

Re: nervous about mercury

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by itsbabytime

I was nervous as well since all I really eat is fish and sushi (not raw fish though). Being as nuerotic as I am and planning to start TTC any day now... I talked to my doctor about it and there is a blood test that can test your mercury levels. My doctor assured me though that he would be totally shocked if my mercury levels were out of the normal range. He was right. I got the blood test done at quest and all was fine. All you have to do is fast from fish for three days and then take the blood test. Its worth it because if your levels are abnormal you might want to wait a few months.

Hope this helps

ETA: Its also good to know because my doctor said it is actually good to continue eating fish (the fish low in mercury only) at least once a week (but not more than twice) because fish actually is good for the baby in moderation...so its comforting to see that the fish you are eating hasn't put your mercury levels at a dangerous point.

I get regular bloodtests, would it show up or do I have to request it?

Re: nervous about mercury

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by curliegirl

Posted by itsbabytime

I was nervous as well since all I really eat is fish and sushi (not raw fish though). Being as nuerotic as I am and planning to start TTC any day now... I talked to my doctor about it and there is a blood test that can test your mercury levels. My doctor assured me though that he would be totally shocked if my mercury levels were out of the normal range. He was right. I got the blood test done at quest and all was fine. All you have to do is fast from fish for three days and then take the blood test. Its worth it because if your levels are abnormal you might want to wait a few months.

Hope this helps

ETA: Its also good to know because my doctor said it is actually good to continue eating fish (the fish low in mercury only) at least once a week (but not more than twice) because fish actually is good for the baby in moderation...so its comforting to see that the fish you are eating hasn't put your mercury levels at a dangerous point.

I get regular bloodtests, would it show up or do I have to request it?

It is not part of regular blood work for a physical if that is what you mean. In fact, my doctor didn't have the right tubes in his office to do the test and that is why I needed to go to a quest lab.

Re: nervous about mercury

I wouldn't worry too much. I eat fish twice a week now. I just avoid the ones that they say are high in Mercury. They say you can have 12 ounces per week of lower mercury fish. Here is an article that I printed out and this is what I follow:

Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.