B12 and Serum Folate

[Mumof3z]

Hi,

My bloods come back low on B12 and Folate again this has been the case every time for 7 years. I suffer with severe dizziness and numbness, brain fog and extreme fatigue.

Can someone advise on my results though as I can’t seem to find anything, my results are below -

B12 - 201 ng/L

Folate - 2.9 ug/L

are these very low? Or borderline? And does anyone know a cause? It’s definitely not diet. I eat very well, red and white meats and plenty of fruit and veg.

Thank you.

[Sneedle]

Hi there Mumof3z,

Are these NHS results? Do they have a range?

A range is needed to see if low.

Also if you have any other results such as Vit D and Ferritin, that helps people interpret too.

I'm sure someone more than knowledgeable than me will help you, but I know they will ask for further results details, so I thought I'd get you started!

Best wishes and Welcome.

[Nackapan]

It's good you've been tested. Also you've got 7 yrsts of results yo compare .

We all do operate at different levels.

I will never know what level I did operate on b12 wise..

First one ever I was 57!

Like suggested was ferritin ect tested.

Your symptoms should be taken seriously .

Good to have everything g checked.

Some good links on here to read through.

Sleepybunny

The Gp obviously watching your bloods which won't tell you everything .

Keep a log of your symptoms .

Keep going back to Gp.

Some have b12 deficiency and results are in range .

Are you on any medication that coukd deplete b12.

If you get treatment b12 shoukd be before folate

[Wheat]

hello Mumof3z, suggest you look at my first post re. B12 deficiency P.A. responses. Very helpfu informative links.

[Sleepybunny]

Welcome to the forum.

Apologies for the short reply and any abruptness as about to go out.

What to do next if B12 deficiency suspected or recently diagnosed

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

How to write letters to GP about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/writing-...

Link above has letter templates covering a variety of situations linked to B12 deficiency.

Blog post about being symptomatic for B12 deficiency with a normal range serum B12 result.

b12deficiency.info/your-ser...

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has some overseas members.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

PAS membership is separate from membership of this forum.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Testing for PA

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Have you been tested for PA?

NICE CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summary) B12 deficiency and Folate deficiency

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

NICE guidelines Coeliac disease suggest anyone with unexplained B12, folate or iron deficiency should be tested. See link below.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20

More on Coeliac UK website

coeliac.org.uk/information-...

Have a look at the thread below where I left a detailed reply with lots of B12 info

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

There's lots of other info I can pass on so just say if you want me to post more.

I'm not medically trained just someone who suffered for years from unrecognised and untreated B12 deficiency.

[Sleepybunny in reply to Sleepybunny]

One thing I'd urge you to do is to track down the local B12 deficiency guidelines that your ICB (Integrated Care Board) in England or Health Board in Wales/Scotland are using as your GPs are likely to refer to these.

If you can't find them online or by searching forum posts here then best bet is to submit a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to the ICB or Health Board asking which B12 deficiency guidelines are used locally and for a link to or copy of them.

Some of these local guidelines are not helpful. See blog post below.

b12deficiency.info/gloucest...

List of ICBs England

nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-yo...