Folic acid/B12

[Curlygal]

Hi,

I was hoping someone could refresh my memory.... what is the reason for not commencing treatment with folic acid before treating a B12 deficiency? I can't remember! Does anyone have any links with information on it? Thanks.

[fbirder]

High levels of folate in the presence of low levels of B12 can exacerbate the neurological damage caused by the B12 deficiency.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1...

[Curlygal in reply to fbirder]

Thank you! I encountered someone on Facebook who had been diagnosed with B12 deficiency, but was given folic acid... wanted to explain why this was not a good idea in the absence of treatment for the B12 deficiency.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

BNF guidance on Folic Acid

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/folic-...

Folate Deficiency

patient.info/doctor/folate-...

See Management section in above link.

B12 and Folate tests

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

See section on anything else to know in above link.

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...