At the same time (mid july) as my original b12 test that showed deficiency: <50 (180-914) i had peripheral neuropathy, forgetfulness, irritability, depression, clumsiness, etc. . My folate was high >24.1 (5.9-20). This wasn’t mentioned by the neuro or the gi(diagnosed pa) but when mentioned at gp, he responded “there is no too high for folate.” What thoughts do other users have on this? how subjective is this to the few prior days diet?
I had to request my iron be checked (ferritin was low but the others were fine). They have also not checked vitamin d. Should I request my d and folate be checked? I do not have another appointment until February but am doing monthly b12 injections.
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BethCam
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I was also told not to be concerned about above range folate blood test. My ferritin was low so I am on iron. Di get your vitamin d checked. It's good to take a daily vit d tablet at this time of year. I take 25ug daily. If you look at grassroots web sites if explains about vit d.
Thank you both. I hadn’t worried about it but thought i would ask. I will see about requesting a vitamin D test, but supplement for now. I live in the southeastern US so still lots of sun but don't spend a huge amount of time in it and I wear lots of sunscreen if i plan to be. I also don't eat much dairy. So I could see this being an issue.
You don’t need sunscreen unless your out there for hours and you get sunburn or skin irritation. The sun is actually good for you and sunscreen is just a marketing strategy to make money.
Well I burn, quickly and easily. So do my husband and children. From my own personal experience, wearing or not wearing sunscreen in similar situations, i know that the sunscreen has saved all of us countless painful sunburns. I am so glad for this marketing strategy.
Dairy is fortified with vitamin D in some countries.
"To our knowledge, a portion of milk products are systematically, either mandatorily or voluntarily, fortified with vitamin D only in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada, and United States."
(I'm so used to milk being fortified with vitamin D in Sweden that I never thought of the need for supplementing when I went abroad. I know better now, thanks to this forum.)
...and yet so many GPs and consultants totally freak out if your B12 levels are high !
My (rather old)" Vitamins and Minerals" book* recommends fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, fortified milk and cereal for vitamin D.
It says that folic acid toxicity is considered rare, and that not all studies have produced signs of toxicity even at very high doses. Mentions one study where gastrointestinal problems and sleep disturbances noted with doses of 15 grams a day.
There was someone on here who was told that she had too much folate - with similar symptoms to too little B12 - but can't now remember who or what her folate level was now.
My GP told me to reduce supplementing when my folate had gone from too low to off the measurable range twice in a row (over 20 ug/L) on testing. Sounded sensible. I'd had to take 3x the NRV to get it moving upwards so it was never a long-term answer- now back to 100% of NRV and being monitored as it had been heavily supplemented and dropped before, even at this level. What I eat does not seem to get me there.
Even way back in 1997, it appears that they knew "Vitamin B12 has no known toxicity. Dietary levels of at least several hundred times the nutritional requirements are considered safe."
….They also seemed to know more symptoms- "changes in personality or mood and hallucinations" are included on their list.
Also mentions that "several leading B12 researchers" (no names sadly) would like to see periodic screening for B12 deficiency at age 65 for everyone...…. well , what a shame that didn't happen !
* Questions you have...Answers you need: by Ellen Moyer, Consultant Editor Dr Robert Youngson
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