B12 AND FOLATE BLOOD TEST RESULTS

[ninja1]

ADVICE WITH RECENT BLOOD TESTS PLEASE

B12 45 RANGE 25.1 - 165

FOLATE 3.2 RANGE MORE THAN 2.9

I was told these are ok but i dont think they are optimal. Should I supplement and if so can anyone recommend supplements with the least fillers.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Neither result indicates a deficiency. Evaluating any blood based measure of B12 is a bit tricky but the active B12 is more accurate than the serum B12 and your result is well within the normal range.

Full evaluation would require a review of symptoms and you don't mention any symptoms.

In the absence of other info my recommendation would be not to supplement.

[ninja1 in reply to Gambit62]

i CAN SEE THEY ARE IN RANGE BUT NOT REALLY OPTIMAL . I THOUGHt BEING HIGHER UP IN A RANGE WOULD BE MORE OPTIMAL MINE SEEM TO BE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE RANGE. I HAVE TINGLING IN MY HANDS AND FEET AT THE MOMENT SO I THOUGHT MY LEVELS MAY HAVE GONE LOW AGAIN.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to ninja1]

Optimal is a personal thing when it comes to B12 - what might be optimal to you may not be optimal to another person. B12 is stored in the liver and the body uses this store to regulate the amount available in the blood at a level that helps the individual meet their needs. We all have different genes and as B12 is used in a lot of the process that go on in the cells. Different genes mean different processes run at different levels of efficiency in different people so the amounts people need varies a lot from individual to individual. Using optimal as a measure is just committing the same mistake as assuming that an individual is okay because their levels are in the normal range.

If you want to monitor B12 levels I would suggest you look for siginificant drops in B12 as an indicator that you have an absorption problem rather than focusing on single point results and fixating on an average measure.

Also, please could you refrain from doing everything in upper case if you can - it comes across as shouting to many

[ninja1 in reply to Gambit62]

OH SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS ITS MY KEYBOARDE KEEP JAMMING

[Nackapan]

All women of child bearing age are advised to take folic acid up to 400mcg. Daily.

[FlipperTD]

Scientist's answer, not medic's, with a few bits of 'technical'!

The results you show are 'normal'. The ranges quoted are typically 95% ranges, so 95% of normals lie within those boundaries.

The distribution of B12 results is not Gaussian [a Gaussian distribution is one that is symettrical, so the mean value is half way between the upper and lower bounds.] B12 result distribution is skewed, so whilst you might think 'it should be higher', in actual fact, the great majority of 'normal' results will be much nearer the bottom of the range than the top.

Don't worry, listen to your doctor andto your symptoms. Checking your blood count can be helpful too. Is the MCV [or MCH] normal? Is it trending up or down?

Good luck.

[ninja1 in reply to FlipperTD]

Mch 27. Mcv 83 b`12 78.5 folate 5.76 dec 20

b12 49.8 folate 67.6 march 21

b12 45 folate 3.2 july 21

medichecks advise something called methylmlonic test ? gp says all ok

[Showgem in reply to ninja1]

You need to give the ranges for these results for anyone to be able advise you.

[ninja1 in reply to Showgem]

B12 25.1 to 165. Folate more than 2.9

[mickeymouse42]

Does it matter whether you use Folic acid tablets or Folate (metafolin) to increase Folate levels?

[Showgem]

Were you taking folate supplements before your test in March or is that a typo?

[ninja1 in reply to Showgem]

Sorry typo 6.76