B12 folate : Is 400 ug methylfolate ok... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

33,299 members•24,534 posts

B12 folate

Milley2•

4 years ago•8 Replies

Is 400 ug methylfolate ok with weekly injections ?b12

Some say you don’t need it

Others say yes you do in order to process b12 injections ?

I’m still. Little confused ?

I also read o. Here that no folate is not needed ?

Get from food

I eat food folic acid breaks fast etc

But my b12 level is niw high from injectin s

Nit getting far ?

I’ve just started taking the folate 400 a day to see if any improvement ?

Any thoughts

Was no improvements a sign I needed folate ?

As again some say b12 is useless without it

So I’m checking in this now

Can’t do any harm I guess as methylfolate

Doesn’t hinder like folic acid can mask a b12 defiency

So thought I’d try the methy folate small daily dose 400 ug ?

Written by

Milley2

To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .

Read more about...

8 Replies

•

Nackapan4 years ago

Go by your blood results. Up to 400mcg folic acid daily is recommended for women of child bearing age (NHS) I seem to be able UK absorb folate from food do dont need a very high maintenance dose. It tends to be about 200mcg in a multi vit

You dont have to have it witn b12 injections only if you are deficient. B12 deficiency treated first

It can often be low as well ad can iron or ferritin or vit d.

Ive never had methyfolate

Milley2• in reply toNackapan4 years ago

I’m on 400 ug a day now to see if it helps me On this forum I was told

You need it at a sensible dose

And also that you dint need it

My level originally was 3

From the b12 def

I supplemented

I think

If I can’t absorb b12 from food how can I absorb folate ?

So going to try 400 ug a day to see

Was told b12 inj put demand on folate levels

And both are needed as thy go hand in hand

And work together

So figured a small 400 dose would suffice

Milley2• in reply toNackapan4 years ago

How frequent though do you now inject ?

Nackapan• in reply toMilley24 years ago

WeeklyYou can have another folate blood check test to see if its gone up? Or what it is

Milley2• in reply toNackapan4 years ago

It was 17 A month ago

But have done inject fair few

I’m thinking maybe my b12 needs it to wirk

Both need each other

My Gp doesn’t allow monthly monitoring

So I figured

I’d take this daily

And reduce the b12 to weekly so I’m not over doing it like I felt I was

I felt more unwell on frequent

It’s day 3 since last b12 and I was in a bad way

I’m better today

Since taking folate today my tummy feels better less nauseaus

So am going to instead of alt b12 do once a week

fbirder4 years ago

Injecting B12 does not increase the amount of B12 you need.

If you have PA it might make it more difficult to absorb folate from food.

Taking 400 mcg of folic acid a day will make sure you have enough folate, without the danger os it being too much.

FoggymeAdministrator• in reply tofbirder4 years ago

Just so you know fbirder ... Milley2 has previously been treated for folic acid deficiency, now has very high folate levels and has previously been advised on the forum that folic acid or methylfolate is not required and can cause issues due to over-supplementation - I know you are aware of this (see reply below to Milley2, FYI).

FoggymeAdministrator4 years ago

Milley2. Not sure why you’re considering taking methylfolate?

A few days ago you posted that your folate levels were 17 - and many respondents (me included) suggested that you do not need to supplement with folate since your levels are so high. That, in fact, some of your ongoing symptoms may be due to over-supplementing with folate (which can cause long term neurological problems / potentially irreversible damage).

When you were folate deficient, your GP prescribed folic acid - which has worked - your levels have risen and you no longer need to supplement with folic acid.

You say no improvements - the improvements you’re looking for are improvements related to the B12 deficiency. And, as discussed, these take time - perhaps many months.

We have already discussed the fact that you do not need to take folic acid just because of having frequent B12 injection (to make B12 'work').

Suggest you don't take any folic acid (methylfolate included) unless your GP has tested your folate levels and they’re low again (this will not have occurred so soon after having such high levels). Also be aware - some react very badly to methylfolate - it makes some people feel very ill indeed).

Please can you be aware that this forum is for sharing and exchanging experiences and cannot take the place of professional medical advice.

It's apparent that you're having lots of health issues and so it would be in your own interests to discuss these with your GP - or a different GP if your current one is not helping you. Some here have changed surgeries before managing to get a decent GP.

I'm going to turn off replying to your post because it’s all to easy for forum members to reply - not knowing your history and previous posts - and advise you to take folic acid or methylfolate. Or offer advice that may not be applicable or appropriate in your case (we're all different and what works for one, doesn't always work for another - which can sometimes result in what appears to be confusing advice given by forum members ).

Please remember the BNF treatment guidelines for those with B12 deficiency and neurological symptoms - every other day injections until no further improvement. But also remember that there are other health conditions that can present with similar symptoms - so if the symptoms don't improve, please consult with your GP.

Good luck.