Serum b12 334 folate 4.5 memory and movement issues night sweats etc...

Update got my levels thread earlier gives full story what does this mean? I have felt ill for years now lots of symptoms all been down to generalised anxiety disorder apparently

Help what do I do can't see a dr til Tuesday and got 5mg folic acid script today from dr who didn't check history/reason for test

[Clutter]

Niaandboo,

B12 isn't deficient so you can start taking the folic acid today as directed.

Folate deficiency isn't likely to have made you ill for years but it can make you feel unwell and it will prevent B12 from working properly. I posted a link to the symptoms which are typical of folate deficiency earlier.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

It is possible to have the symptoms of b12 deficiency with an in range B12 result.

B12 symptoms lists

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

Link about folate deficiency. important info in Management section.

patient.info/doctor/folate-...

I am not a medic just a person who has struggled to get a diagnosis.

[Hidden in reply to Sleepybunny]

Have been referred for a brain scan now as failed the memory test the gp does 🙄

[Sleepybunny in reply to Hidden]

I hope you have your scan soon.

Might be helpful for you to start a new thread with news of your brain scan as there may be other forum members who have had a brain scan.

I've assumed you're in UK. Some info below may not be relevant if you are elsehwere in the world.

I have read articles that say there may be a link between B12 deficiency and memory problems and also a possible link between low folate and memory problems.

Some of the symptoms you mentioned on an earlier thread can be found on B12 deficiency lists. I gave my GPs a copy of PAS (pernicious Anaemia Society) symptoms list with all my symptoms ticked.

PAS Symptoms list

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS

I'd suggest contacting the PAS soon as they should be able to point you to useful info.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] Answerphone so messages can be left. May take a couple of days to get a response.

B12 deficiency after birth

I believe you mentioned having a young child in another thread. Did you have gas and air during your labour? One of the gases in "gas and air" is nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide can inactivate B12 in the body.

Link about Nitrous Oxide

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n...

Link mentions that nitrous oxide can cause neuro effects due to inactivation of vitamin b12 even when person has normal range B12 results.

I believe that part of my problems started after prolonged exposure to Nitrous Oxide in gas and air during a long labour.

Support

Do you have a supportive friend or family member (who has read up about B12, folate etc) who can help you by coming with you to appts as it can be hard to speak coherently to GPs etc when suffering brainfog.

Other helpful websites

B12 Deficiency Info website

Has lots of useful B12 info. Person who runs website can be contacted by e-mail.

Link below is about writing to GPs about B12 deficiency. Point 5 in link is for people who have B12 deficiency symptoms with a normal range B12 result.

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

b12d.org website

b12d.org/

As I mentioned in my earlier post, it is possible to have B12 deficiency with a normal range B12 result.

Has your GP seen this flowchart below?

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Flowchart makes it clear that in UK , people who are symptomatic for B12 deficiency result should have an IFA (intrinsic Factor Antibody) test and start initial B12 treatment whether B12 is low or in range.

IFA test can help to diagnose PA (Pernicious Anaemia ) but is not always reliable and it is possible to have PA even if IFA test result is negative (called Antibody Negative PA)

UK B12 documents

1) BSH Cobalamin and Folate guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

The above UK B12 document was published in 2014. It gives guidance to UK doctors on teh treatment and diagnosis of b12 deficiency.

Some GPs may be unaware of BSH Cobalamin guidelines. I gave my GPs a copy of it.

I'd suggest reading whole document or getting supportive friend/family member to read it if brainfog bad.

2) BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

5th point in BMJ summary may be of interest.

B12 books

1) "What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper. Martyn Hooper is the chair of the PAS. Book is up to date with UK B12 guidelines.

I gave a copy of Martyn Hooper's book to my GPs.

2) "Could it Be B12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart

Very comprehensive book about B12.

USA b12 website

b12awareness.org/

Who gets PA?

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Coeliac Disease

Just wondered if you had ever had tests for Coeliac disease.

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

Just like to repeat that I am not medically trained , I've just spent years trying to find out what is wrong with me. I had memory problems which improved when I started B12.