How much folate should I take.

[lucylocks]

Hi

I have popped over from the thyroid forum and I posted here a few weeks ago as I was confused as to why my Active B12 result was top of the range but serum B12 was only 385.

I am now wondering why my recent folate level was rather low at 6.95 ug/L 2.91 - 50.00

I was and I still take Thorne Stress B Complex which states,

Folate (200 mcg as L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate† from L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid, Glucosamine Salt) 334 mcg DFE

Not sure if I am getting 200mcg. or 334mcg.

My previous level was 7.44 ug/L so my level has dropped whilst taking the B Complex.

I have purchased Health leads Folate and Vitamin B12, which has 500mcg. folate and 500mcg. B12

Would these be too much to take along with the B complex.

The complex also has 100mcg. B12 and I additionally take 1000mcg. Jarrow B12.

I really do not know how much folate I should be taking to get my level up.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the comma separates the ingredients - so you are taking 200mcg of methylfolate.

Best source of folate is dietary.

are you symptomatic of B12 deficiency?

B12 isn't about serum levels - there is a large range for serum levels because people vary a lot so arbitrarily picking a level and saying it applies to everyone is bad logic. There isn't a good test for B12 deficiency so symptoms are important. I know that they overlap with thyroid symptoms which can make things difficult but your results are in normal range which may just mean that they are the right levels for you as an individual.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

just wanted to add that taking additional folate will not affect absorption of B12 in the gut and the amount in your blood.

[lucylocks in reply to Gambit62]

Many thanks.

[fbirder]

The folate you’re taking comes as methylfolic acid bound to a glucosamine molecule. Each tablet contains 334 mcg of the folate-glucosamine conjugate. When it dissolves it splits into 200 mcg of folate and 134 mcg of glucosamine.

Folate levels tend to bounce around quite a bit, depending on how much you’ve recently consumed, so don’t worry about small variations.

The NHS recommends 400 mcg of folic acid per day for women of childbearing age.

[lucylocks in reply to fbirder]

Many thanks.