b12/folic acid deficiency treatment/getting better advice

[lunez22]

Hi PA society,

Thank you for existing, there seems to be people much more informed than the average doctor. I apologize if these questions are answered on the forum already, I have looked through but thought someone would have updated advice.

strange symptoms led to a random b12 test and folic acid test which came back 243/11 pg, unfortunately I started supplementing without further testing, intrinsic cell and parietal cell was done about 1 month after supplementation and came back negative

my questions

1. I have read on this forum it is not good idea to supplement the folic until the b12 is being supplemented, unfortunately too late, should I stop folic now? could that have made me feel worse?

2. I have also read on the forum that one should take b12 as part of a host of b vitamins..

3. I am supplementing (I have had neurological symptoms) but as many others have mentioned, I have a doctor who only believes in a once a month shot, how do I know how much I need? the journey doesn't always feel upward (or fast) which I have also read here... so it is really hard to judge.....

(also straightening out some thyroid issues if that helps for the big picture)

Thanks much in advance

[Marz]

Thyroid issues often overlap with B12 ones. There is a VERY active Thyroid Forum here on HU. It may be a good idea to post your latest thyroid results there for comment. Maybe a tweak or two in treatment could help. Do you have Hashimotos ?

Others will be along soon to comment on your B12 😊

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi lunez22 are you in the U.K? Your reference to your doctor believing in only a "in a once a month shot" suggests that you are not.

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.

Have you actually started supplementing with B12 as well as with the folic acid?

I'm not a medically trained person but there are others on here who will give you good advice.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

there is a very very small risk of initiating neurological damage if you start supplementing foiic acid before B12 levels are up - just a few isolated cases - if you haven't experienced this then it is unlikely that you will - and if you are supplementing both at the moment then that's okay. the other reason for not supplementing folic acid before B12 is that it can mask the development of macrocytic anaemia which can cause problems with diagnosing a B12 absorption problem.

People vary a lot in what minerals and vitamins they need and respond to - the most common absorption problem that leads to B12 deficiency can cause general absorption problems so some people experience problems with multiple vitamins and minerals. Please talk to your GP or a pharmacist before supplementing - particularly if you have a thyroid problem.

on whether you need more frequent injections the only way of knowing is to monitor symptoms and treat on the basis of those.