Refused Folate Blood Level

[terrybraden]

Hi Everyone,

I went to my GP today and asked to have my folate levels checked and was refused. My B12 was checked in June and my iron was check recently. I don't know where my levels should be, but from reading posts here, I understand they need to be balanced. What do you suggest I do? I don't like pestering as I have been in many times already for other things.

B12 is 592 range is 153-655 pmol/L Interpretation (Serum B12 Probability of symptomatic deficiency)

Hemoglobin 132 range 115-160 g/L (Oct. 25)

Ferritin 82 range 15-247 ug/L (51-100 Possible Iron Deficiency)

What is the difference between Ferritin and Hemoglobin?

[KimberinUS]

Hemeglobin is what gives red blood cells their red color. The heme portion of the word hemeglobin comes from iron. Hemeglobin is why red blood cells pick up oxygen in the lungs and transport it throughout the body to muscles and organs that need it.

Ferritin is the amount of stored iron in the body. I think it is stored in the liver.

[terrybraden in reply to KimberinUS]

Thanks KimberinUS, I had a follow up with a doc in the US and my blood revealed that I don't have enough iron as I was told to supplement with 30 mg. Ferrous Gluconate once a day to 3 times daily for 3 weeks and take a weeks break. (No wonder I'm cold and dizzy. I guess that's why, duh!!) I appreciate your response.

[Lisahelen]

If you have any other blood tests coming up you could ask when they do it if they can tag it on as well.

Or do a private one, which arent overly expensive and at least you will have an up to date record of all the things you need to know all in one place at one time, as various factors change depending on what we have eaten etc.

[terrybraden in reply to Lisahelen]

Thanks so much for your help and fast reply. I haven't been so fast at getting back. Sorry about that. I put a post on the MTHFR gene. I guess I lack iron as the Doc told me to supplement with more. I will ask again about the folate when I go in next.

[terrybraden in reply to Lisahelen]

Hi Lisahelen,

I did what you said in this post, I had an iron saturation test done one Wednesday along with my B12 and I clearly asked for a folate level and it was missed on my lab requisition. (I didn't notice until I got home). I did ask, I just don't know how it could have been missed.

But one thing I was told was that I'd probably have to pay for these tests. Thankfully when I went to the lab, they didn't ask me for money. Whew! I think they are told to say that to dissuade you from asking for the tests. I have to go back again and ask for that test, but I don't know when that will be.

Terri

[Lisahelen in reply to terrybraden]

Well at least you tried.😉

[terrybraden]

Hi lisahelen,

Thanks friend!😊