After first shot....

[Auntieglitterball]

I've now had my first shot and managed to get the practice Nurse to print off my blood test results.

Serum B12 was 168ng/L

Serum Folate level was 3.5ug/L

I've realised since collecting my prescription that I have 10 ampules, though have so far only booked six appointments for the loading doses. The surgery seem to think that I will continue to have shots every three months after the initial loading doses.

Should I also take a Folate supplement? This has not been discussed with Doctor. She has asked for me to have another blood test after the loading shots.

Thanks to all for the supportive advice on this site.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Auntieglitterball please do ask about supplementing with folic acid but if your doctor is unwilling to prescribe it it can be bought cheaply over the counter at any chemist.

Personally I have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet every day for more years than I can remember but then I've had P.A. for over 45 years.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Folic acid is crucial for proper brain functioning and plays an important role in mental and emotional health and works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

Testing your B12 level after the loading doses is of little use unless it comes back very low.

It would appear that you are on B12 injections for life - do you know what caused your deficiency in the first place?

I'm not medically trained but there are others on here who will be able to give you good advice.

I wish you well