B12, Folate & Iron

[Minimouse1]

My B12 was 375 (211-911) & folate 8.6 (5.4-20.0). Been having symptoms so am trying to raise these levels. Taking B12 1000ug sublingual & a B complex. Apparently whilst raising B12 levels due to the increasing production of red blood cells your iron/ferritin levels can drop? If we need to take iron supplements what is the best type & what dose? Unfortunately my GP did not test iron when my tests were done for B12 etc. so I don't have a starting point. Also what level of folate should we aim for to utilise the B12 efficiently? I'm a hypothyroid patient which is apparently linked to B12 depletion???

[fbirder]

Red cell production is only increased if you had macrocytic anaemia caused by a B12 deficiency. If you did have macrocytic anaemia then your doctor should have spotted it. Even if that were the case iron stores should not be significantly depleted.

[Nackapan]

I wouldnt supplement iron unless you know levels and have discussed it with your Gp. However a multivit if you choose to take one often have 14mg of iron in vitamin c with meat ect helps absorbtion from food.

Just get another blood test done covering everything in 3 months or whenever your local labs . Will repeat

I thought ferritin levels important to do if you a thyroid patient??

Oh just seen you've had a reply ....a few extra points si will post

[Minimouse1 in reply to Nackapan]

Yes ferritin levels are important with thyroid but GP didn't do it so it's possible it was low - who knows! My symptoms have been anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, irritable, strange pulsating throbbing in upper abdomen left side under rib cage, tiredness, achey etc. but my Vit D was also low at 31.7 so some symptoms may cross over with this? Sorry can I ask recommendations for folate level to make good use of B12? Thank you.

[fbirder in reply to Minimouse1]

Your folate looks fine, and taking B12 supplements will not affect it.

All women of childbearing potential are advised to take 400 mcg of folic acid a day, so it shouldn't hurt to do that.

[Nackapan in reply to Minimouse1]

B12 can work and your folate level okay as in range . Folate deficiency gives more symptom s. Can go low if an absorbtion problem.

My folate level always been good despite weekly b12 injections. I just check its mid range as I take multivitamins and they all heve folic acid in . Usually 200mcg so not taken daily okay my daughter needs 400mcg daily . Women of child bearing age are indeed recommended to take this dose

Vit d will be lower this time of year without sun.

I had symptoms when my level was 19.

Your symptoms sound familiar to me. B22 deficiency symptoms do cross over but I was found to be vit d deficient years ago. I think the headaches and aching are more related to that.

Grassroots is a good source of vit d information. Your Gp may give you loading doses . Read up on vit k2 mark 7 too.

[AGG7]

Excellent iron info here:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/i...

[AGG7 in reply to AGG7]

Another good article: stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

[bettyboo2020]

I would go back to the doctors and get your iron checked my doctors took my off b12 in 2018 my last level check was 263 they wouldn't give me more b12 keep say its still a good level yet I'm tired all the time, now iam having problems with high platelets low iron, burning in the stomach, I've now been put on the urgent suspected cancer pathway I have now this week been put on iron tablets for the next 3 months

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to bettyboo2020]

The very first tests I had were on this pathway - to rule out bowel cancer as a cause of my abdominal pain and daily diarrhoea. I chose to see it as a process of elimination, starting with testing for "worst case" possibilities, and it helped to see it that way.

When was the last time your B12 level was checked ? Do you take supplements or use spray at all ? Did you ever have intrinsic factor antibody test or parietal cell antibody test ?

My ferritin and folate were also found to be low when B12 deficiency was found, and was given 3 months tablets for both. Both levels continued to fluctuate for a while afterwards, with supplements needed on top of my multivitamin & mineral. It probably took a couple of years for these to get to good levels and stay there. The same was true of my methylmalonic acid ( MMA ) level -only got down to within range last year after three years. Vitamin D tablets I get on prescription because osteoporosis of the spine was found. I've just had a Dexascan to see if bone density has also improved. My GP regularly checks ferritin and folate to ensure they are still managed by my daily multivitamin and mineral tablet and diet alone. I self inject with B12, so she doesn't need to monitor that.

Have you had MMA tested ? This links with B12 -so if B12 is low, MMA builds up in the blood with nothing to do. Might be worth checking if you have finally got GP taking this seriously.

Raised MMA can also be due to renal problems, which can be ruled out with a blood test, or SIBO -small intestine bacterial overgrowth- which bacteria steal vitamins from you, including B12. This can be tested by a fasting hydrogen breath test, which needs expert testing and recording over several hours.

All of this is available on the NHS, usually requested by a consultant -in my case, a haematologist. My GP got my first MMA test done, although with difficulty: refused three times before she found a hospital lab able to test.

You have low iron which is being treated. Good.

I hope your folate and vitamin D were also checked.

Anything, bettyboo2020 , put a new post on here.

[bettyboo2020 in reply to Cherylclaire]

I had my b12 checked in October it was 263 but not been checked for anything else, the nurse at my surgery asked if they've got me under a haematologist but no they haven't also I've had a ct scan of my abdomen and pelvis not had results of that as with covid they say all the hospital have back log I've yet to have endoscopy got more problems with my blood they did one test don't know what it was called and told me it was low and has to be repeated on the 5 th January told me they only see it that low in people who are alcoholics 😳 I have a double gin maybe 3 times a month so not much I just get fed up with feeling sick most of the time iam worried about cancer and can't help feeling b12 is the problem somewhere I was fine until they refused to give it me back In September 2018