Why Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine) Is Essential

If you’re living with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), you already know it’s far more than “morning sickness.”  Severe, persistent vomiting can make it impossible to keep food and fluids down and that can affect more than your stomach.  Without enough vitamin B₁ (thiamine), your brain can be at risk for a serious condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE).

What Is Wernicke’s Encephalopathy?

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a medical emergency caused by severe thiamine deficiency.
Thiamine is a vitamin your body needs every day to turn food into energy, especially for your brain and nerves.

When you’re pregnant, your thiamine needs are even higher.

With HG, vomiting and poor intake can cause your body’s thiamine stores to run out in just 2–3 weeks.  Without enough thiamine, certain parts of the brain stop working properly.

How Common Is It in HG?
Wernicke’s encephalopathy in pregnancy is rare but serious.
Studies show that among people diagnosed with WE, about 1 in 7 cases are linked to HG.
Many cases are never diagnosed in time, which is why prevention is so important.

Early Warning Signs

WE can start subtly and progress quickly. Watch for:
– Feeling unusually confused or “foggy”
– Trouble walking or keeping your balance
– Changes in vision or eye movement

If these symptoms appear and you have HG, seek medical care immediately.

Why Thiamine Matters Before Glucose
One important fact: IV fluids that contain sugar (glucose) can make thiamine deficiency worse if you haven’t been given thiamine first.  That’s why the order of treatment matters—thiamine must come before or alongside glucose in IV therapy.

How Materna Protects Your Health
At Materna, we follow evidence-based protocols to protect patients with HG:
– Thiamine-first IV therapy – Every IV includes thiamine before glucose, along with other key B vitamins and electrolytes.
– Rapid relief – We treat dehydration quickly with nutrient-rich fluids to help restore energy and reduce nausea.
– Close monitoring – We check for early neurological symptoms and track your progress using tools like the HELP Score.
– Ongoing support – If your symptoms persist, we can provide at-home infusions or coordinate advanced nutrition support.

Our goal is to keep you safe, prevent complications, and help you feel stronger as quickly as possible.

What You Can Do
– Let your care team know if you can’t keep food or vitamins down for more than a few days.
– Ask specifically about thiamine supplementation—especially before receiving IV fluids.
– Keep track of any new neurological symptoms and report them right away.

The bottom line: HG can be overwhelming, but with the right care, Wernicke’s encephalopathy is preventable.  At Materna, we make sure every patient gets the nutrients and hydration they need safely and compassionately.

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