Vitamin D, Folate but not B12?

[Ritchie1268]

Not been about much lately due to getting busy with the new service I set up, so I hope everyone is well.

A few will remember the hassle I had around 18 months ago getting my daughter's GP to get her 'Active' B12 checked, it never happened.

She's continued to struggle feeling tired etc etc.

Her new GP did her bloods and her Vit D is low & also her Folate. GP is doing her a prescription for Vit D and Folate.

I know Vit D deficiency is common in UK, but should I be concerned with her taking Folic Acid, incase they tested her 'Full' B12 and not 'Active', incase she does have low B12?

[Nackapan]

Hello.I would certainly get hef b12 checked again or get her to get a paper Copy of results.

Low b1e ,iron. Ususlly goes with low vit d and especially folate.

Doesn't have to the active test.

If she's on the lower end of the serum b12 test.

Has her b12 gone down from the last serum b12 test?

Was ferritin and a full iron panel done?

As you know itx important to treat b12 first

Also can be deficient with an 'in range ' result.

Theh NICE guidelines worth another loom revised in March 2022 about clinical picture.

Hope you ard well.

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Nackapan]

Hi Nackapan.

Hope you're well.

I have asked her to ask for a print out, and I'm not sure what they checked to be honest. My concern being if she is low in B12 then starting Folic acid will make her symptoms worse.

I'll get her to chase it up 👍

[Nackapan in reply to Ritchie1268]

Yes I understand your concerns .It can mask an underlying b12 deficiency if folate treated first .

As folate and b12 tested together your daughter will have that result.

Yes get her to chase up the paper copy .

I'm steadily improving thanks.

[Nackapan in reply to Ritchie1268]

Hope you are doing okay too.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Really good to hear you have been busy setting up your service. Hope all goes well with that.

Your daughter's folate and vitamin D might be low in isolation , without B12 problems, but because so many of us have had these deficiencies alongside B12 deficiency, we know there is that possibility. I fully understand your worries about treating folate first.

Perhaps start with "Why ?" - there must be a cause for low folate. This might lead to B12 testing, even if only to eliminate it.

Like Nackapan has said - how about ferritin ? How is that doing ? Thyroid doing okay ? (because that's usually the next one on the list.)

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thank you Cherylclaire.Yes, been really busy, and it's so rewarding when patients say, "At last, I finally feel listened to, understood and supported.

Hoping for funding to do it full time and grow the service next year.

Yes agree, just need to see the results to see what they tested for then go from there.

She's struggled to get them as she's working so I've said to call them and get them emailed.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Ritchie1268]

Glad you are handling being busy so well !

Let's hope you can now get some help for your daughter.

[omits]

You don't say how old the patient is. When you say tired do you mean she was suffering from fatigue? I had that and discovered very low D and B12 on lower end of range. So I took b12 and Vit D3 supps and have not had fatigue since. Now I keep an eye on diet for good vit absorption and alternate a B complex, Folate B9 (takes care of Folate-B9), B12, and every day a 25ug D3 daily taken with a desert spoon of olive oil. I am over 70 so I assume my absorption is less efficient so ensure I take a little more than the recommended amount. If you are still thinking on this why not get the blood results and post them here. Best of luck.

[Ritchie1268 in reply to omits]

She's 21 years old.She's more tired than fatigued really.

I did get her some high strength B12 supplements to take a while ago but it didn't really make any difference.

I just need to see a copy of her results and then go from there I think.

Thank you 👍