BLOOD TESTSS

[Amzsmithy]

I had a blood test in A&E because I was told I was aneimic because my folate levels are really low so looking at my past results on 2016 the test shows as L (low) 1.6 and I know that’s low but what does that mean?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Amzsmithy

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

Folate

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.

Folic acid is crucial for proper brain functioning and plays an important role in mental and emotional health. It helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material, especially when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as during infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body. Vitamin B9 works with vitamins B6 and B12 and other nutrients in controlling the blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine.

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.

Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) University of Maryland Medical Centre

In the U.K Folic acid is also being "fortified into" many breakfast cereals.

Do you eat any (or enough) of the above Folate rich foods?

Did A&E give you any other test results or tell you to supplement with folic acid?

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

.