I have pernicious anaemia and receive injections every eight weeks, blood tests showed I was low in folate and was advised to eat green veg

[turkey2014]

I eat green veg, should I take a folic acid supplement and should I take an iron supplement. I tend to only feel well for about 5 weeks then my symptoms return.

[Hidden]

Hi Turkey,

If you are folate deficient then you should be put on perscription folic acid 5mg for 3 months. All B vitamins need each other to be metabolised, if low on folate your B12 will not be metabolised as should and visa versa.

I'd ask for copies of (all) your blood tests to see what low means in relation to all your previous blood tests, and in relation to what is the normal range your lab users, same counts for ferritin (= iron storage) as all 3 B12/ folate/ iron are needed in optimum supply for good blood production. Having copies will help you make up your mind if you should insist that you see a haematologist (who will know far more than your GP and can help you far more).

I hope this helps,

Kind regards,

Marre.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Most green leafed vegetables are also rich in iron as well as folic acid - though the one to watch is spinach which has something in it that actually stops it being taken up properly. Body needs Vit C to absorb iron. Good news is the green leaf vegetables are also full of Vit C. Tea and coffee also inhibit uptake of iron so good to avoid at meal times and may be cut down.

B6, B9 and B12 interact in absorption - and probably all of the B vitamins do. Seems that the body will convert B6 to B9 and vice-versa if one is in short supply. Be careful with B6 though as there are well known side-effects from too much ... ironically some similarity with B12 deficiency - tingling and numbness in hands and feet.

Lots of people (including myself) find that the symptoms return well before my next injection is due but difficult to get GP to listen ... so have found other ways of supplementing personally. However, I don't have low folate (B9) ... too fond of brussel sprouts I suspect.

Would also echo Marre's advice.

[turkey2014]

What other ways have you found to supplement ?

[Hidden]

I was advised by a haematologist to just take a multy vitamin as it is important to keep all vits/mins in balance. But a deficiency should be addressed with a much higher doses. I personally now take a multi vitamin daily and 5mg folic acid once ever 2 weeks with B12 jab, that seems to keep my serum levels in the " normal" range. Am also now trying to raise my ferritin as it is dropping, as I am on medication (for bile salt malabsorption, IBS D) that can inhibit absorption of certain vits/ mins, and also am moving into osteoporosis range on bone scans. I'd personally only take extra if you know you are low and have regular monitoring of bloods, so you can adjust if you go out of balance and end up with far to much of just one vitamin / mineral. But you need copies of blood tests to know what you may need extra.

[B12Turbo]

Hi Turkey 2014

I think you will find the recognised route for B12 / B complex interaction is that B3 is required to active B6 which in turn is need for the absorption of B12.

B9 or Folic Acid is converted by the body into (5-methyl-tetra-hydrofolate) or Folinic Acid, you can therefore medicate with Folinic Acid and bypass these steps.

Folic Acid and B12 both function as methyl donors. They carry and donate methyl molecules in order to facilitate many metabolic reactions, including the manufacture of DNA and Brain Neurotransmitters.

B9 is also needed in many physiological reactions, not least of all in cell division. All the body cell are involved, but it is the rapidly dividing cells such as Red Blood Cells, Immune Cells and cells of the Gastrointestinal and Genital Tract that have the greatest need for Folic Acid. Low Folic Acid can also cause abnormal PAP Smears in women, due to new cells not being adequately produced.

Hope all this helps B12T.