Folate

[lambuth_eagle]

I am confused about how much folate to supplement with when taking B12 injections.

These were my labs were done a year ago (when B12 deficiency was discovered):

B12: 240 (range 239-931)

Folate: 8.4 (range 7-31)

After only 4 injections my folate dipped to 5.2. My neurologist had me start 400 mcg or folate per day.

When folate was checked in February it had increased to 12. This is after supplementing with the 400 mcg daily and doing injections once a week since October.

Now I am increasing injections to two times per week. Some groups say you should take 5 mg per day of folic acid. Since I’m increasing my injections do I need to increase my folate? Continue 400 mcg daily but then do 5mg on injection days??

[Nackapan]

No do not take 5mg oc folic acid.Thd only time is when deficient and z short term prescription.

In my opinion I would just carry on with the 400mcg

You are well in range.

Eat more greens perhaps?

[Ritchie1268]

Completely agree with Nackapan. There have been so many people in the past being told to take 5mg daily by a certain FB group, and they're wrong.

The GP will prescribe a short course, (1 month) of 5mg daily when deficient to get Folate levels up. After the prescription of 5mg daily has been used up, take no more than 400ug daily as a maintenance dose.

[Cobalt1312 in reply to Ritchie1268]

Does anyone understand why they specifically promote 5mg of folate every day on the FB group?

My understanding is that B12 and B9 work together in making blood cells, and I've read a vague reference somewhere that B9 helps 'activate' B12 (what they are referring to specifically I was left to wonder).

I think I read the FB group post something about "B12 needs B9 to work" which is certainly true enough, but where does anyone talk about what ratios are needed, or in what specific ways they work together, to achieve what all functions in the body?

They almost make it sound like B9 is needed in amounts equally high to B12 levels to achieve neurological healing.

Take equal amounts of B9 to B12 or risk not recovering neurologically. That's a pretty intimidating insinuation!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

unlike B12, folate isn't stored in the body which means that levels are more responsive to dietary intake.Definitely don't take more than 1000mcg a day unless prescribed by a medical professional as it can cause problems.

[Cobalt1312 in reply to Gambit62]

Gambit62, can you explain more what you say about "folate isn't stored in the body which means that levels are more responsive to dietary intake" ?

I'm intrigued!

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Cobalt1312]

In someone without an absorption problem B12 is stored in the liver and released through bile into the gut for reabsorption into blood. There is no parallel for folate meaning that there is no store to keep your folate levels in your blood constant.

[Cobalt1312 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks so much!

[Hamayeshguy]

Take folate as 5-mthf form. In methylation process just methy from folate is available to use by cell and it can't be taken from cobalamin.

[Cobalt1312]

I share your confusion. I've read the "take 5mg of folate a day" advice and find it troublesome.

I started treatment late this past fall. I've been doing EOD B12 injections because I have some neurological symptoms, taking L-methyl folate working my way up to 1mg a day. I was on 1mg for a couple months or so...

Recently I tried increasing my dose to get closer to 5mg, with really, really bad results. Terrible insomnia and nightmares. Then I looked up methyl folate side effects and I have many of them, including joint pain that has been getting progressively worse as I've been taking the methyl folate.

[Hidden in reply to Cobalt1312]

I would probably guess your cholesterol levels are quite low !

I was exactly the same muscle pain etc had blood test my cholesterol was low and my folic acid well over.

Google folic acid and cholesterol !

Personally I'd rather have cholesterol than the pain !

[Cobalt1312 in reply to Hidden]

Sallyannl, I did look up the cholesterol/folate relationship, that is so interesting!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I have some new insights.

I also started having more trouble with my gallbladder and I read when looking up folate and cholesterol, I saw that apparently folate is known to increase bile production. UGH!!!

I also just found out I have celiac, so I wonder how that mixes in... possibly with underlying vitamin deficiencies etc.

Take care

❤️