Folate levals: Please advise I'm seeing... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

31,917 members23,047 posts

Folate levals

pet-lamb profile image
5 Replies

Please advise I'm seeing the doctor's on Thursday

Written by
pet-lamb profile image
pet-lamb
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Hi pet-lamb I'm guessing your doctor will say both your B12 and Folate are "Normal" although at the lower end of their scales.

I see you are also on the thyroid community.

Do you have any neurological symptoms? If you do:

The British Society for Haematology guidelines say on the Diagnosis of B12 and Folate Deficiency "In the presence of discordance between the test result and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment".

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

Symptoms of B12 deficiency tend to develop slowly and may not be recognised immediately. As the condition worsens, common symptoms include:

Weakness and fatigue

Light-headedness and dizziness

Palpitations and rapid heartbeat

Shortness of breath

A sore tongue that has a red, beefy appearance

Nausea or poor appetite

Weight loss

Diarrhoea

Yellowish tinge to the skin and eyes

If low levels of B12 remain for a long time, the condition also can lead to irreversible damage to nerve cells, which can cause the following symptoms:

Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

Difficulty walking

Muscle weakness

Irritability

Memory loss

Dementia

Depression

Psychosis

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

for Thursday.

pet-lamb profile image
pet-lamb in reply to clivealive

Thanks Clive yes I have several of these symptoms

Tingling tongue and roof of mouth

Light headed

Aches and pains ever where

Cramps in hands feet legs

Brain fog confusion forgetful

Palpitations breathless

Find walking any distance like 1/4 of a mile difficult like pushing my legs through sea water or walking against a strong wind .

I'm tired I lack energy I often fall asleep at least once a day I'm tired when I get up and when I go to bed .

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply to pet-lamb

Make a list of your symptoms and present this to your doctor and ask him to treat you according to your symptoms and (perhaps) even start you on loading doses "until there is no further improvement" according to the N.I.C.E guidelines below. Click on the link, then on "Scenario: Management" and scroll down to "Treatment for B12 deficiency"

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

If possible take someone with you who can validate your neurological symptoms as the doctor is less likely to pooh pooh you in front of a witness.

I am not saying that this is an easy thing to do but try to stay calm, write out what you want to say and keep to the script and be confident that you are "in the right" and your facts are correct.

pet-lamb profile image
pet-lamb

Clive is there a way that I could upload the rest of the blood test photo results for you to look at would that be helpful

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply to pet-lamb

unfortunately you can only upload one picture per post - if people have several sets of results then they often do a series of posts - would be good to request that people respond on one particular post though just so everything gets consolidated in one place to reduce the risk of duplication

You may also like...

Folate deficiency advice please!

from a very high level over a year each time. My doctors then prescribe 5mg doses of folic acid...

Vitamin b12/Folate deficiency

I’ve been told I’ve had another blood test to see if I’m absorbing the b12. I haven’t had the...

Requesting help with Folate questions.

Folate supplements with PA

Levothoroxine for Underactive Hashimoto's, can anyone advise me please My last folate test was...

Low folate struggling to walk