5mg Folic Acid : I’m really confused... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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5mg Folic Acid

User2020-1 profile image
16 Replies

I’m really confused and hope someone may be in a position to offer clarification on this question.

My folate levels have always been mid range, regardless of frequency of injections or sublingual tablets however, I’m often seeing advice being given on forums that you should always take 5mg folic acid with regular injections (prescription strength in U.K.)

Is anyone in a position to offer the evidence or any insight into this protocol as I’m concerned GP’s and Haematologists are not helping me then....

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16 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

You do not need 5mg folic acid if you are in range. You do not need folic acid with b12 injections.

You only need 5mg folic acid if prescribed by a doctor short term if you have a deficiency.

This shoikd start after b12 treatment.

Every women of child bearing age recommended by the NHS to have 400mcg daily.

Most multivuts have 200mcg folic acid.

Eat more greens too

We have been told this regime advocated on a Facebook group.

I've no idea why or where tge information is from .

I'm not medical.

Google it.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

You never will have seen 5 Mg folic acid supplement advocated on this forum , because we know that would only be prescribed for a case of severe B9 (folic acid)deficiency , and then only for a limited period . If you eat plenty of green leafy vegetables peas and other folic acid rich foods , you won’t need to supplement and if you do want to supplement then no more than a 400mcg tablet . You cannot overdose on natural B9 ( called folate in foods) 5 mg tablet a day for many months would constitute overdosing . That can have a negative effect on your health .

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

The push for such high doses doesn't seem to be based on any real evidence that I have come across. 5mg is the dose to correct a severe folate deficiency.Many processes that go on in your cells need both folate and B12 but that doesn't mean that you need more folate if you are correcting a B12 deficiency, just that you need enough of both folate and B12.

B12 absorption problems can affect the absorption of other micronutrients - commonly folate and iron and you may need to supplement if this is the case.

Supplementing too much folate can cause a thing called the folate trap which means that processes that convert folate and B12 into the right forms for use in cells don't work properly and can actually be harmful - the threshold for this seems to be 1000mcg.

Folate isn't stored in the body so levels are much more responsive to dietary intake - it also means that the normal range for folate is much easier to interpret and it is extremely unlikely that someone who is mid-range would have a problem with folate at the cell level.

If you have questions about supplements etc and interactions with other drugs and supplements then you may be better off talking to a pharmacist than a GP.

Sk1ppy profile image
Sk1ppy in reply to Gambit62

Hi I am new here but would just like to ask a question on this post. My Doctor has prescribed me 5mg of Folic Acid for 3 months, they said my Folate is too low at 2.4 I have never had any B12 or any other meds for this type of problem. I am however worried that this high dose is too much your help and advice would be greatly appreciated thank you.

I do also have bad numbing/tingling down both my arms and halfway down my back to my waist it is like my arms are just a lead weight and cant move them for about around 1 to 2 minute.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply to Sk1ppy

Sk1ppy - small point of etiquette - better to start a new post if you have a query rather than hijack an existing post.The dose prescribed is that recommended for correcting a deficiency - only if you continue after 3 months that you could hit problems. As ever - if you have a question about a prescription please do ask the dispensing pharmacist as they are best qualified to answer questions on correct dosages and interactions.

User2020-1 profile image
User2020-1

I’ve just been to my Haematologist and he confirmed you don’t need additional folic acid if you are getting enough from the diet, regardless of B12 supplementation

Therefore, I’m going out on a whim and believe the academic over the forum “experts” who’ve zero academic qualifications in the matter and/or credible peer-reviewed evidence. 👍🏻

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to User2020-1

Just to clarify for those reading… User2020-1's reference to 'forum experts' refers to certain Facebook groups who advise that 5mg folic acid is required daily with B12 injections (wrong) and also seem to have developed a 'protocol' for vitamin and mineral supplements which they advise everyone to take - it has no medical basis and may cause detriment to those who do not have proven deficiencies. This is not advice which is ever given in this forum (I understand that you recognise that User2020-1 ).

Good to hear that a haematologist echo's the advice given here 🙂.

User2020-1 profile image
User2020-1 in reply to Foggyme

Yes foggyme, apologies - to make it clear, there are Facebook groups that use a standard response to everyone to SI EOD and take 5mg Folic Acid - advice from a qualified haematologist is to not take their protocol and seek confirmation from qualified people such as haematologist, neurologist and gastroenterologist....

There are no scientifically qualified individuals on the Facebook groups and evidence is lacking to the claims made

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to User2020-1

Agreed. Members from here have joined the Facebook group, asked questions about their 'protocols' (especially 5mg folic acid), and left peer reviewed research papers which state that this is not appropriate - and even potentially dangerous).

The result - posts and research papers are deleted and the person posting questions and relevant research is banned!!

Quite shocking!

Also gives fora a very bad reputation (there are good ones - but equally, some not so good either).

User2020-1 profile image
User2020-1 in reply to Foggyme

I definitely sympathise as I left the groups following their refusal to provide any evidence-based, peer reviewed papers....

All you get is someone from Canada posing as a leading authority on the topic yet they have zero scientific qualifications to note.

Living with the condition is one thing and personal experience will differ between individuals but it’s like trying to say your a mechanic when all you do is drive a car every day...

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to User2020-1

Nodding in agreement 🙂.

lucasussex profile image
lucasussex in reply to Foggyme

They saying to people 5mg folic acid on injections

User2020-1 profile image
User2020-1 in reply to lucasussex

Yep but I challenge them to produce the peer-reviewed papers that suggest the necessity to do so…

It’s shocking!

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to lucasussex

Yes that’s what they always say / it’s wrong and potentially dangerous. As User2020-1 says, they are unable to support their suggestion with peer reviewed research evidence nor will they read any when it’s presented to them (they delete any research papers posted and ban the poster).

I agree with User2030-1 - it’s shocking.

lucasussex profile image
lucasussex

My folate is 0.1 been taking 5mg folic acid for 2 months it’s always low

User2020-1 profile image
User2020-1

lucasussex - With a clear diagnosis of folate deficiency then there’s certainly a need for increased amount of Folate and GP should prescribe high dose for you but I’ve a big issue with unqualified people on forums advising a broad stroke approach of 5mg folic acid regardless of levels as that’s ill-informed and dangerous behaviour from unqualified people on those B12 forums

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