Folic Acid & B12

[mistygrey]

Hi

I had my first B12 injection yesterday at my Gp. I had stomach cramps in the night can only presume it was the injection, I feel wiped out today like I’ve been hit by a train (I usually get this feeling even before the injection).

My folate level just before the injection was 11.9, do I need to supplement with Folic acid and if so, how much? Also can anybody recommend a good B supplement that I can take alongside my injections?

Thanks

[fbirder]

Do you need to supplement with folate? It doesn't sound like it as your levels are good. Will it be harmful to take 400 mcg a day? Almost certainly not.

I wouldn't take anything apart from the folic acid and Vitamin D during autumn and winter (as recommended by the NHS). If you really want to take a multi-B vitamin then supermarket own brands are cheap, good quality and tend not to contain stupidly high amounts.

[mistygrey in reply to fbirder]

Hi my Folate isn't in the upper quarter but yes your right it isn't that bad either. Am I right I saying the B12 injections will deplete my Folate levels? not sure if this is accurate, in that case would a 400ug Folic acid supplement be enough? thanks for your advice, I am new to the B12 side of things

[fbirder in reply to mistygrey]

No. Having B12 injections doesn't increase your body's need for B12.

If your B12 deficiency is caused by PA then you probably have a problem absorbing folate from food, which is why a supplement might be a good idea. 400 mcg a day is plenty.

[Miss-guineapig in reply to fbirder]

Fibirder, I am a wee bit confused re dosage. Is 400ug equivalent to 400 mcg? Thanks in advance x

[helvella in reply to Miss-guineapig]

ug is an alternative way of typing mcg - but I try always to type it in full - microgram - to avoid possible confusion and mistakes.

The document below says more:

dropbox.com/s/sgv815w8hkexl...

[Miss-guineapig in reply to helvella]

Thank you, I'll read it now helvella x

[Miss-guineapig in reply to Miss-guineapig]

This topic has really made me think! I am taking way to much folic acid, thank you fbirder, helvella and previous post info from Clivealive. I have ordered 400 ug folic acid and made an appointment with my GP, as she currently prescribes 5mg every second day. Thanks again x

[clapic]

Hi. I am also a newbie here. I started my B12 injections for the first time on Monday and had a second one yesterday. I am wiped out with fatigue. Far worse than I have ever known before. Not sure if this is normal, as doctor told me that I'd probably feel 'high' after injection. Also, my doctor says I have low folate too, but said I have to supplement after the loading injections as it was important to do this in the right order. Unfortunately brain fog means I cant remember the reason why. Maybe someone can enlighten us?

[fbirder in reply to clapic]

Your doctor is correct about the order of treatment. Supplementing with folic acid before treating a B12 deficiency can exacerbate any neurological damage.

Getting knocked out by the initial injections isn't at all uncommon. It passes.

[clapic in reply to fbirder]

Thankyou! You've made me feel (slightly) normal! And thankyou for the clarification on the folic acid order issue. That makes total sense. I think I have a lot of reading up to do...

[fbirder in reply to clapic]

Here is a section from a book that describes B12 and folate ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1...

[Miss-guineapig in reply to fbirder]

Thank you x

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

So if you alternate day injections then do you need the folic acid on those days or not or methyfolate

[fbirder in reply to Milley2]

Injecting B12 doesn't affect the body's requirements for folate. If you're going to take folate supplements then you should take them every day. 400 mcg should be plenty.

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks it’s so confusing ref this

My consultant said b12 is useless as it needs. Folic acid to use it ?

Otherwise it just floats around ?

[fbirder in reply to Milley2]

Your consultant is one-quarter correct.

B12 has two main roles, only one of which requires folate. And it's not folic acid it needs, by methylfolate. Luckily, almost everybody can easily convert folic acid into methyl folate.

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

So 400ug folic acid is ok not sure if ug is same as mcg

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

Do you take it before injection or after ?

[fbirder in reply to Milley2]

I take it every day, in the morning.

Yes, 400 ug is 400 mcg.

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

Do you inject b12 if so how often

[fbirder in reply to Milley2]

I inject twice a week. But the frequency of injection has absolutely nothing to do with the amount, or frequency, of folic acid intake.

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

I have neuro symtoms ear hissing vibrations

I thought folic acid was used alongside

Is there any reason you take it daily then the folic avid ?

[Miss-guineapig]

Thank you for sharing this Scrumbler xx