Folic acid deficit

[Tea1234]

Hi All,

Had a blood test on Monday, they came back by Wednesday. Been told I've got folic acid deficit even though I eat vegtable every day? What can cause this? I've had it previously before. Can anyone advise?

Thanks

Tea123

[Tea1234]

Yes, spinach, kale, broccoli cauliflower. Plus I have a well balanced diet. Pulses, nuts.

[mightydrunken]

From your previous posts you have had low levels of iron, folate and B12?

It is pointing to a malabsorption problem, which could be due to PA, Crohn's, SIBO etc. This may also explain the stomach pains you have experienced.

Were you diagnosed with PA?

Do you still have pins and needles and tiredness? Were you tested for other things in the blood test and what were the results? Sorry for all the questions but I wonder if your previously low B12 levels are being treated properly.

[Tea1234 in reply to mightydrunken]

Still got pins and needles plus headaches, joint pain and fatigue. Had others blood test but don't know them until I go and see the gp on 6 November. I've been diagnosed with diverticular disease for many years. Still losing weight. Just want some answers really...why. used to be active going to classes.

Thank so much.

Tea123

[mightydrunken in reply to Tea1234]

While you wait for your next appointment, construct a complete symptom list, which may help your doctor.

I suspect many of your symptoms may be due to low B12 and folate but it may be best to wait until some more tests. It sounds like you need to find the cause of your stomach problems which are probably the root cause of your previously low vitamin levels and diverticular disease.

If the GP thinks your B12 levels are fine, try 1mg tablets everyday anyway just to see if they help. Take some B9 as well, I imagine the doctor will give you these.

[Tea1234 in reply to mightydrunken]

Thank you

Tea123

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Tea1234

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.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

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

As has been said above, despite your eating lots of vegetables you may have an absorption problem. You've obviously got "tummy troubles" from previous posts in other communities.

Ask to have your B12 level checked if not already done so.

[Tea1234 in reply to clivealive]

Thank you.