Folate levels

[Starr2345]

How low is a low folate reading? I was initially told I had b12 defitiency and they just did my folate and its came back 2.5 and the said this is low av tried looking online but a can't see an average on the net of what it should be any info would be appreciated

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Starr2345 it depends which measure is used but normally a figure of around 3 is the lowest so you are probably Folate deficient too.

Are "they" suggesting any treatment for either the B12 or both?

[Starr2345 in reply to clivealive]

Hi thanks for your reply I'm supposed to be getting b12 injections and the gave me some tablets for the folate told me to take them fpr a month n then they will see hpe it goes from there. Am not sure hoe they measured it I was there because I wanted my bloods done for chrons disease and I asked for my b12 levels to be tested again n all that came back was b12 was low n now this its not something I understand to be honest. I've been trying to readup on it tho.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Starr2345]

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

If you have any of the above neurological symptoms make a list of them 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 a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[Ryaan]

Lowest is about 3. The range is between 3 to 20.

You can always ask them the range as it will be next to your results.

So if you are 2.5 you are below the range. I think the doctor must have given you 5mg Folic Acid.

It is important to take.