folic acid

[Justified]

i have been taking folic acid tablets because 'm getting monthly jabs. Doc told me today I don't need these. I thought you had to take them if you are getting b12 iabs or sub linguals.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

although folate (B9) is needed to process and use B12 that doesn't meant that everyone needs to supplement it. You may have been given the tablets originally because you were also showing a folate deficiency. The doses given in this instance are usually very high - do you know what strength of tablets you were being given?

Best forms of B9 are dietary.

[Justified in reply to Gambit62]

I can't remember now. I had Gambit62 jusrt been buying the regular ones from the chemist but doc gave me first lot along with futium. I will find out though. That would be good if I don't need to take them then. Thanks x

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Peggylally66. Do you know what your folate levels are? Can you post the results here (together with the reference range)? Or get a copy from your surgery?

Your GP may be right that your levels are okay. But GP's often say that results are 'normal' when they are nothing of the sort (bumping along the bottom (or being right at the top) is not good enough for some people).

So...would be useful to know what your folate levels are.

Take care X

[Justified in reply to Foggyme]

Foggyme I know they had been low. I will ask what they were and are since the second test

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Justified]

Excellent...only way to know for sure 👍

[Justified in reply to Foggyme]

Foggyme .my levels are now 18.0 ug/l .range is 3.1-20.0 u.

Looks like I'm okay now. Originally 2.2

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Justified]

Excellent news Peggylally66 and reassuring for you to know that all's okay.

Thanks for posting the results 👍.

Take care X

[Justified in reply to Foggyme]

I'm ready to do the injection later today. I've watched so many videos on you tube. I am confused about the aspiration part. So I plunge needle in, don't inject yet but pull plunger out a little ?. Would that not cause air or would there be none because it's in the muscle ? Also where would I see blood if I have hit a vein as the b12 is red ??

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Justified]

Hi Peggylally....oh well done, don't be scared....sure you'll be fine..

Yes, you put the needle in, then draw back slightly on the plunger. No air will get in because the syringe is a sealed unit and, as you say, there's no air in the muscle - so you can't suck any out - a vacume will simply form in the small space that you create inside the needle.

In the unlikely event that you hit a blood vessel, blood would back flow into the syringe. You would see this because a) it would fill the vacume space created when you draw back the plunger and b) the blood looks darker and 'thicker' than the red of the B12. So don't worry, you'd certainly notice.

Good luck Peggylally...fingers crossed....will await news 💉💉👍😀

[Hidden in reply to Foggyme]

Also I read that a folate serum test needs to be taken fasting for accuracy..do you administrators agree?

If so many nhs tests for it are an utter waste of time.

[fbirder in reply to Hidden]

I've never heard that it should be fasting. I suppose if you ate a can of spinach an hour or so before the blood was taken then it may make a small difference.

I would avoid taking a tablet on for 6 hours before testing.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Seems to be a fasting test in the US. Healthline, which is reviewed by an MD and labtests on line both say so .. 6 to 8 hours fast, do it early in the morning therefore.

A glass of orange juice, which is high in folate, might skew a result then.

If the UK is being sloppy on this they are wasting a lot of cash and missing diagnoses. Oh no, that doesn't sound like the NHS at all, does it.

[fbirder in reply to Hidden]

Hmmm. The CDC recommend, but do not require, fasting. But it does seem that fasting would be more accurate, especially if looking for a deficiency.