B12 and folate level

[Bacardi555]

Hi,

I have had a b12 deficiency for approx 20 years. Despite the 3 monthly injections I am still very tired all of the time. On my last blood test my b12 level was 2000 ng/l. My serum ferritin level was 77ug/l and serum folate level was 4.1ug/l. My gp obviously thinks that these results are in normal range but another doctor has recently told me that the b12 level is too high in the blood. The ferritin and folate seem quite low. I was just wondering if anyone has had similar results and if they have been investigated? Any advice gladly received!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Bacardi555 were you ever supplementing with folic acid?

[Bacardi555 in reply to clivealive]

No,i was never advised to?..

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Bacardi555]

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.

Folate works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

Although you don't quote the range <from - to> at μg/l. your level looks to be bumping along the bottom.

If you don't have an absorption problem the natural way of sourcing Folate is by eating leafy green vegetables, sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, peas beans etc. Many breakfast cereals are now fortified with folic acid.

If your diet doesn't include the above, folic acid can be bought cheaply over the counter at you local chemist.

Personally I have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet for more years than I can remember.

I'm not a medically trained person but I've had P.A for over 45 years