Will my folic acid and ferritin test results be skewed now that I have received two B 12 vitamin loading doses?

[dianewilson1900]

Hello. My name is Marianne. I live in the US and was given my first B 12 injection on June 1st, I started supplements (one per day, 1000 MCG each tablet) on June 11th, and received my second injection on June 13th. My doctor will test my folic acid levels and ferritin and he wants to retest my B 12 levels. (I understand my B 12 results will be skewed and think he just wants some idea how well my body is absorbing the vitamin), but will these injections and supplements skew my test results for ferritin and folic acid too? I would think most likely so..

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi dianewilson1900

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.

Initially, replacing B12 will lead to a huge increase in the production of blood cells and platelets (which occurs in the bone marrow) and can lead to rapid depletion of folate and iron stores; this can then limit the expected recovery of Haemoglobin.

Both iron and folate may be needed and as you say your doctor will be checking these.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[dianewilson1900 in reply to clivealive]

Thank you. I'm glad you told me this beacause I have never expericed a B 12 defiency in till now, or not that I have been aware of, and didn't realize that receiving injections could deplete iron and folate. I've been anemic in the past and right now my hemoglobin is only 12.4. The cut off point is only 12. So if your under that, your considered deficient. I'm not too far from the cut off point but cannot iron tablets because I'm still in normal range. So thanks again because I would have no clue and gone on to have YET another defiency of some sort. I remember reading somewher your potassium can become depleted to...

[fbirder]

No.

Having B12 jabs will not affect your folate or ferritin levels measurably.

[dianewilson1900 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm glad to hear that. I was really worried. I'm new to low B 12 defiency and never had my folic acid levels tested. I bet the farm its low! 😀😗🍒🌈🍝🐍🍝🔇🍌🌜👻