Methylcobalamin and folate

[Steap]

If you're taking methylcobalamin does the need to take folic acid or methyfolate still exist if you have decent folate levels?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the body will convert folic acid to methylfolate. Some genetic variations can affect this process and people with those variants can find that they respond better to methylfolate but it doesn't always seem to be the case. The genetic variants that affect ability to process folic acid into methylfolate can also have an impact on ability to process hydroxo and cyano into methylcobalamin but the effect is relatively small.

The reasons why some people respond better to methyl than hydroxo and cyano aren't clear and there may be several different systems, mechanisms and genetics involved.

[Steap in reply to Gambit62]

So if you're using methylcobalamin do you still need to take folic acid to process it? That's the confusing bit

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Steap]

you will still need to have enough folate in your system - folic acid is a synthetic form. The best form of folate is actually from your food but if you have an absorption problem it may affect your ability to process it from food - or not in the quantities needed hence extra supplementation.

[Steap in reply to Gambit62]

My folate last week was 14.72ug/L (ref 3.89-26.8) so I guess that's ok 😃

Really appreciate your help

This can be rather anxiety provoking at times.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Steap]

B12 deficiency causes anxiety - or makes you more susceptible to it so not surprising.

[Steap in reply to Gambit62]

90% of this battle is a diagnosis or lack of it despite bloods going back to 2012 showing 146pg.

I feel like a fraud even posting on here.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Steap]

don't your experience is, unfortunately, not unique