Blood results

[lesbud1]

So today I have picked up my blood results and handed in my letter requesting my B12 injections to be continued. I was told when I rang that my results were all normal. I am supposing that the GP has checked them and feels the folate is okay? my serum B12 level (XE2pf) 1052ng/l (>180.0)

B12/folate level (XalqS) says Low Folate please treat with folic acid, consider alcohol intake, poor diet, or malabsorption as cause. (I don't drink, maybe at xmas)

Serum folate level (42U5) 3.8 ug/l (3.9 - 20.0) Below low reference limit

Plasma viscosity (XE2pd) Above range 1.76 m Pa.s (1.5 - 1.72) High results 1.73 - 2.50 Found in many chronic disorders eg. Infection, malignancy autoimmune rheumatic disease.

Serum ferritin level (XE24r) 62 ug/L (13.0 - 150.0)

Basophil count (42L...) Below range 0.00 10*9 (0.02 - 0.1)

all the others seem within normal limits. Can some kindly shed any light on these result? they don't look too worrying but I would have thought the GP might have asked me to have another blood test later to check that the levels had not fallen?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

you have a folate deficiency - probably absorption problems if you also have B12 absorption problems - but its always worth having a look at your diet and seeing if you can up the content of folate rich foods as dietary folate is the best - its what we were designed for - but if you do have an absorption problem then it might not be efficient and you might need to supplement if your diet is good. 400mcg supermarket supplement is probably what you needed but if you aren't getting any sense out of your GP you could try talking to a pharmacist

[lesbud1 in reply to Gambit62]

I eat broccoli, sprouts, greens, bananas. I am not a vegetarian or vegan. I have a good diet of diary, animal, fruit and veg. Thanks for your prompt reply. I await my GP's reply which I have requested in writing to have my B12 injections reinstated. I still supplement with sublingual lozenges too. My GP seems to think these levels are okay but the report suggests that I be treated with folic acid.

[fbirder in reply to lesbud1]

It Is likely that you have an absorption problem. It could be caused by many factors. I would take 400 mcg of folic per day. Folic acid is more easily absorbed that the folate in food, so you shouldn’t have any problems with that. And 400 mcg is a sensible amount for somebody only slightly deficient, like you. It is recommended that every woman of child rearing potential take that much folic acid.

[lesbud1 in reply to fbirder]

thanks. I am 59yrs old so out of that category now. I realise it is just below but feel my GP should have at least acknowledged this and asked for repeat bloods in a few months? thanks for the advice. It will be interesting to read her reply to my request and when I ask her in my next appointment next month why she thinks my folate is on the low side, considering I eat well?

[Nackapan in reply to lesbud1]

I have to request repeat bloods. So do thst. Why i di not know. Some will only be repeated by the lab. at 3-4month intervals. I've left it 4 months to see if ferritin level incrrased as taking iron and folate gone down. I took 400mcg daily and my body zapped it up then taking me above range. My reading may have been higher than yours thoughat the start. I think it important to check bloods if taking supplements . It's a mystery why my ferritin levels dropped by half. Gp had no idea. My hb and ferritin fine when b12 106. (On same blood test)Then started dropping . ?? I eat very well even when poorly . Infact better as for some reason didn't fancy sweets coffee or refined sugar . And certainly not had a drop of alcohol. I used too.

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[Nackapan in reply to lesbud1]

Maybe it's just you don't absorb nutrients as well now. Stomach acid dies decrease with age .