Can you take too much of Folic Acid ? (Injecting B12)

[Ryaan]

I inject B12 every 2 weeks.

I was low on Folate and had horrible shortness of breath. Doctor prescribed 3 months worth of 5mg Folic Acid. I took it and shortness of breath Improved quite a bit after about 20 days. I continued the Folic Acid for 3 months and got a repeat for another 3 months (5mg Folic Acid)

I finished that and requested for a prescription to continue with 5mg.

In my diet I hardly eat any greens at all like broccoli, peas etc.

In my last blood test in Oct 2018 my Serum Folate was on 17.1 with a range of 3.10-20.00.

So I’m wondering if I should still be taking the 5mg Folic Acid or ask my GP for a blood test to check my levels again.

But what I really wanted to know is Can too much Folic Acid cause the same symptoms as too little ?

(Injecting B12 once every 2 weeks)

I’m adding a photo of my blood results from October 2018. My Iron levels are on 94 with a range of 25-380. Is it on the low side and could it be the cause of shortness of breath or is that an ok level ? (Confused)

.Thanks everyone.

Admin Note: image with results deleted to protect personal information. Poster will redact and re-post, in due course.

[Foggyme Administrator]

Ryaan. The image containing your results also displays personal information (name, address, date of birth etc.). I’ve delete the image to protect you from identity theft.

You can either redact your personal information and re-post the image or input the results as text, in your post.

👍

[Ryaan in reply to Foggyme]

Oh.....silly me, Thankyou.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Ryaan I would think that with Folate levels of 17.1 you needn't be supplementing at such a high dosage.

However in view of the fact that you don't eat much in the way of vegetables you will probably be OK by taking 400mcg of folic acid per day which can be bought cheaply over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

I am not medically trained and wish you well

[Ryaan in reply to clivealive]

Do you think it could be the Iron as it’s on 94 with a range of 25 - 380.

Causing shortness of breath.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Ryaan]

It may well do so perhaps it would be a good idea to include in your daily diet some of the best plant and fruit sources of iron, which are:

Beans and lentils.

Tofu.

Baked potatoes.

Cashews.

Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach.

Fortified breakfast cereals.

Whole-grain and enriched breads

Pumpkin seeds.

Dried fruits – apricots, raisins and prunes.

Please remember I am not medically trained but I hope this helps

[Ryaan in reply to clivealive]

Great help, Thanks Clive.

Dates ?

[pvanderaa]

Which B12 are you injecting? Cyano or hydroxo?

You should never go more than 5 mg of folic acid per day.

It is a balance between B12 and folic acid. Get the B12 level sorted first and then adjust the folic acid. As you adjust, leave the dosage the same for 2 weeks before changing.

Are you also taking a daily multivitamin? This is for metals and minerals needed for metabolism.

[Ryaan in reply to pvanderaa]

It’s Hydroxo, the B12 levels are fine as I’ve been injecting every 2 weeks for a long time.

I don’t take any multivitamin except for Vitamin D.

I’m not sure if my iron levels are adequate being on 94.

Range is 25-380.

[fbirder in reply to Ryaan]

Iron at 94 should be OK. Try eating more foods with readily available iron - especially meat. Things like spinach contain iron, but it's not easily available for absorption.

You shouldn't need a multivitamin.

Follow Gambit62's advice and try 400 mcg a day of folic acid. Get it from the supermarket - just as good as elsewhere and a lot cheaper.

[Ryaan in reply to fbirder]

Can’t find Gambit62 ?

[fbirder in reply to Ryaan]

Ooops! clivealive

[Hidden]

You an take folic acid only one day/week now, that's enough

[Ryaan in reply to Hidden]

Good point....Gold star for you.

⭐️

[Hidden in reply to Ryaan]

I know it because I have g6pd defiency and I use folic acid for years. When your goloc acid levels are good you take 5mcg 1 day/week for maintenance

[Ryaan in reply to Hidden]

5mcg is too low.

1000mcg is 1mg

500mcg seems about right as UK daily recommendation is 400mcg.

5mg = 5000mcg.

[fbirder in reply to Hidden]

Folate is unlike B12 in that it isn't stored efficiently. It is best to take it little and often, to ensure a continuous functioning level. So 400 mcg a day (every day) is the optimum dose.

[Hidden in reply to fbirder]

Νο that's wrong. Ask someone with g6pd defiency who take folic acid for years or someone who take folic acid after hemolysis. Doctors start with 5mcgX2times per day for 1 month, and after 5mcg one day /week. I have now drag instructions and say that too. I take felicin

[Ryaan in reply to Hidden]

Must have been 5mg.

[Hidden in reply to Ryaan]

Yes 5mg.. Mistake

[Ryaan]

No one has answered part of the question, if too much Folate can have the same effect (symptoms) as too little ?

Does anyone know ?

[fbirder in reply to Ryaan]

There is a lot of argument as to whether too much folate has any measurable effect and just how much folate is 'too much'.

There is, for almost everybody, little point in taking large doses for a long time. So I can't see the point in taking the risk, even if it is very small.

[Gizmo]

Ryan, folic acid is water soluble, the same as B12. The body excretes what it can’t use. Further, folate only stores for 4 months so it does not take long for your level to drop when B12 increases red cell production. I have never heard of anyone getting too much folic acid or folate.