Folic acid or another b vitamin ?

[Andypandy30]

I have been taking folic acid 400 mcg for over a year now daily . Did t have any problems but when I got my folate checked and it was at 10 and gp would not prescribe 5 mg I decided to up my intake of the 400 mcg . Even taking an extra one of these caused me to have tummy upset and diarrhoea. Have also been feeling anxious and depressed . Self injecting and getting monthly at doctors . I take Vit D spray and ferrous fumerate no problem .

[Nackapan]

There is a different format. I had a reply on it. Can't find it now. It was methyl folate I think.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Nackapan]

Yes someone mentioned that before . Thanks for reminder . X

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi MandyPandy you say "when I got my folate checked and it was at 10" that sounds like it's OK to me - either stick with the 400μg or up your leafy green vegetables for natural Folate.

I'm not medically trained but have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg every day for more years than I can remember as this works with B12 to make red blood cells.

[Andypandy30 in reply to clivealive]

Thanks Clive I will have to I think . I didn’t like the way I felt on the extra one . I dint think I could tolerate 5 mg that everyone says is needed

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Andypandy30]

I think the 5mg may be prescribed (for up to three months) if you are Folate deficient which you are not with a level of 10.

[Andypandy30 in reply to clivealive]

Thank u so doctor was right ! Appreciate your input Clive . So lots of folate in my diet plus the 400 will still benefit me

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Andypandy30]

Presuming the range of 3.10 -- 20.50ng/mL used your Folate level was in the lower half - mine was 18.2ng/mL after probably 40 years of supplementation but then we are all different so perhaps it would be wise to get retested in a few months time.

[Av42 in reply to clivealive]

Mine was 2 when I was prescribed 5mg then when that ran out I was taking 2 400ug a day for almost a year and had gone up to 16 , now I take 1 400ug about twice a week and one a day for week after injection.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Av42]

That’s was very low . I find 2 400 a bit much for my tummy x