Help please with test results.

[raelenejones]

My last blood test has me confused.

Serum vitamin B12 745 pg/mL - so it's considered normal.

Folate 3.5 Ng/mL - normal is considered to be 3.9-26.

Dr has said eat foods high in folate and retest in 2 months.

I've had a continual unwell feeling that is really getting me down. All the usual symptoms the worst being sleeplessness, aches and pains and unsteady etc etc. Was diagnosed with PA 10 years ago and have self injected for 6 years. I admitted this to my new GP who was horrified so I vowed to pressure and stopped injecting.

Would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi raelenejones NO No No! If you have P.A. B12 injections are for life.

How long since your last B12 injection?

It is important that your Folate level is healthy as this is essential to process the B12.

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.

Your doctor's advice to "eat foods high in folate" is fine as long as you don't have an absorption problem with your stomach and as you are already now deficient I suggest you supplement with folic acid which you can buy cheaply across the counter at any pharmacy or supermarket.

Personally I have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet every day for more years than I can remember but have a word with the pharmacist for their advice on dosage given your current level and continuing dependence on B12 for your P.A.

I cannot believe your GP told you to stop injecting - is he trying to kill you.....?

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years.

I wish you well.