Does anybody have any experience of low folate levels. My levels were 2.8, symptoms have improved over the last month however I am fatigued; sometimes still very breathless and dizzy. Luckily I had 2 weeks leave and was signed off for 2. I'm supposed to return to work on Wednesday but I don't feel I am physically ready. (I'm a teaching assistant and it's a very demanding job.) Can anybody tell me if they've had similar symptoms and how long their's lasted?
Thank you in advance
Folate deficiency can result in macrocytic anaemia. This means your red cells are larger than normal which decreases their efficiency at carrying oxygen around the body, with the result being fatigue. It takes the body around 6 to 12 weeks to replace its red cells (although it will go into overdrive for the first couple of weeks).
So it may be that you are still anaemic. Can you contact the doctor and see if you can get another week or two off sick?
Did they test your B12? Do you know what the actual result was? Because they often say it's 'normal' when they actually mean 'it's barely normal, but still low enough to be a potential problem'.
Thank you for your reply. The b12 level was 238. Which he did say was normal, but I thought was rather low on the scale, so decided to start taking b12 anyway after reading the two go hand in hand. I had dramatic improvement at first which ties in with what you say. Maybe I'm just a little impatient to get back to normal. I think I may have to contact the Dr again as a day at work is far too ambitious at the moment.
Sounds to me as if it may be the "low" B12 that is the cause of your symptoms. How much are you supplementing and in what form and how much folic acid?
I'm not medically trained.
Hi. I'm taking 5mg folic acid and I've been taking a vitamin b complex supplement for the last 2 weeks not sure if the amount, quite a low dose I believe. However, I ordered a spray that is 1200mcg, I only took this for the first time today.
I use the spray every day - four squirts in the morning.
You cannot overdose on B12 as any excess is excreted (likewise with folic acid) via your urine.
Give it a go.
Thank you. I'll definitely give it a go. Any ideas on how long it will take to improve? Difficult to answer I know.
Clive....can I ask which spray you use please and if you find it good? Does it work even though you have PA? thanks so much. You are a legend. x. J
Hi!
The only sprays I have seen are methylcobalamin and I know you may have difficulty with this.
The most readily available is BetterYou Boost Spray but there others from America.
As deniseinmilden says BetterYou Boost Spray which can be bought online or in local H&B health food stores. I think it's designed primarily for sports persons but I started using it a couple of years ago whilst (for me) a quite strenuous holiday where our apartment was situated up a steep hill which had to be climbed two or three times a day. My wife was amazed that I coped so well so I have continued to use the spray since and I'm still "clivealive" at 77.
I don't know what implication that it is methylcobamalin will have on you personally jarlethblue but I wish you well.
Hi Clive
I believe that you can over dose with folic acid.
Hi Alfabeta quote "Folic acid is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large doses, long-term...."
webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...
This is why I mostly "recommend" having the level checked before supplementation to determine whether it is needed.
Being water soluble (as also with B12) any excess should be excreted via the urine.
I hope you are keeping well.
Folate levels very low
Low B12 & Folic Acid
B12 folic acid or folate 
Folate/Folic Acid daily supplement.
Low folic acid taking Metformin
