Serum folate help

[Glitterbug83]

Hi my serum folate level is 3.7 doctor keeps saying it's normal ?

[clivealive Forum Support]

I'm guessing that you are only just above the lower range level and it is flagged as "Normal" Glitterbug83

Are you receiving any Vitamin B12 supplementation?

[Glitterbug83 in reply to clivealive]

I had 7 loading doses my b12 was 93.... now 776..... it just says 3.7 ug/l ( >3.0)

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Glitterbug83]

The (>3.0) means that that is the lowest level it needs to be to be "in range" so you are just about "running on empty".

It is vitally important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12 and may get "used up" doing so.

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.

Rich sources of folate include spinach, dark leafy greens, asparagus, turnip, beets, and mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, soybeans, beef liver, brewer's yeast, root vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, bulgur wheat, kidney beans, white beans, salmon, orange juice, avocado, and milk. In addition, some breakfast cereal products are fortified with folic acid so as long as you don't have an absorption problem with your stomach you should get enough from a good diet which include any of the above.

However if you do have an absorption problem you may need to supplement with folic acid which can be bought cheaply over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

Personally I have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet every day for longer than I can remember and I've been on B12 injections for P.A. for 46 years.

I am not a medically trained person and can only speak from my own experiences.

I wish you well and bid you goodnight

[fbirder]

Unlike B12 folate levels can vary quite a bit over a short time. Also unlike B12 the folate assay is both accurate and precise. Your folate level looks perfectly OK.