How much folate is everyone taking?I’m now currently twice a day, will be moving to three times a day.
When I was injecting once a day, I was taking one 5mg of folic acid. Now that I’ve increased my injections, im wondering if I should increase my folic acid.
I can not take hardly any supplements, upsets my digestion. I try taking Folate from my food or in liquid form under my tongue or as an injection. German pharmacy sell combination ampoules or individual ones. I do vitamin and mineral test 2 a year or when I feel what’s going on. Always checking with blood tests regularly
1mg. From food.
qwertystar,
Unfortunately, you are unique in height, weight, age length of deficiencies, severity of deficiencies, possible hypothyroidism. Cause of deficiencies, other illnesses metabolic rate, severe intolerances and reactions.
It really is complex. Some people have to SI Hydroxycobalamin or Methylcobalamin 3 times a day, other are fine with 6 weekly. That’s why a symptoms tracker and monitoring your own response. Think of it as like diabetes, people are taught to check their own blood sugars and adjust accordingly.
Sorry, I know I sound a bit awkward but there’s so many factors to consider.
😘
5mg/day folic acid is more than enough. I don't think it will make any difference to increase it. In fact, if you have had 5mg/day for a while, the maintenance dose is only some 400mcg/day. Even with absorption problems, 800mcg/day seems to be more than enough for maintenance for most people.
The maintenance dose will depend on how much B12 you'r injecting and how much folate you eat. They work hand in hand. I take 5mg. folic acid a day and that matches 1mg B12 EOD - I do not eat that much food containing folate.
I don't think beyond a point, the amount of B12 matters, as the body cannot utilise folate beyond a point. 5mg is the maximum recommended when really low and I do believe that if you have taken 5mg/day for 3-4 months, you should be able to reduce to something like 1mg/day or even 400mcg/day without any effects, as the daily requirement for folate is only 400mcg/day. Have you tried reducing the dose? Did you feel any side-effects from it?
Yes I have tried reducing and it caused problems so I am now back to 5mg/day. It may be the recommended daily dose when really low - when injecting EOD with B12 your folate WILL be very low as the two work in harmony.
B12 does use up more folate, but 5mg/day can still not be explained in the long term. Probably, you have folate absorption problem and hence need more than usual. The daily requirement is only 400mcg/day, so I doubt people need more than 800mcg/day long term without absorption problems.
The daily requirement is indeed usually 400mcg - however if we are supplementing with large quantities of B12 surely more folate is also required. Thats why my consultant put me on 5mg per day and that was for 1mg B12 every 3 months.
I think there is a limit to how much folate body can use even with the higher B12. I have not heard anyone having side-effects with 5mg/day folic acid, so you can continue. Regarding having symptoms upon reduction of the dosage after some time on 5mg/day, it is a bit surprising. What symptoms do you have?
I'm not taking any.
Pre-covid, I used to get monitored regularly: folate, ferritin, vitamin D and thyroid and would then stop/start/decrease or increase supplements according to results and GP/consultant advice. That seemed to work well and after a couple of years, all the above calmed down a bit and became more stable.
Every now and then, I get a chance to ask for a set of tests incidentally, from either GP or consultant (lately only Oral Medicine). Just to check I'm on track.
I take 400 mcg 4 times a day. My levels were mid range and I have not checked them in a year. I have not waded through the information to make a rational decision. It is on my list🙂
I inject 1mg of B12 twice per day and take 800mcg folic acid daily. My folate levels are in the 95th percentile of high normal. I tried the 5mg folic acid routine and it gave me terrible gut problems. Everyone is different, but if you eat a normal diet and use a reasonable level of supplement you should be fine. It sounds as if you hang out at those FB groups that preach 5mg daily and a handful of other co-factors or else your B12 will not work and you'll slowly get worse and die. Get some testing done to actually see where your folate levels are sitting and if they are in the high normal range you will be fine with a lesser amount. 5mg was meant for short term use for severe deficiency and pregnancy. Good Luck.
Why do you think quite a lot of people find 5mg folic acid a day helps them. Its probably because it does - wouldn't you think. Its not "preaching" - its passing on what they have discovered. Just as passing on what they have found out about B12 dosing. So rather than guessing its better to try different doses. I suspect those injecting B12 multiple time a day are actually deficient in folate. The side effects of high folate can be lower end wind and will go after a couple of weeks.
That's why I suggested everyone get tested for folate, Bellabab. If you are low, take 5mg for a period until your levels are good. If your levels are in the upper range of normal, there is no need to take that much. It's irresponsible to tell everyone to take 5mg without knowing what their levels are and setting your dosing accordingly. I'm more concerned that people are not getting enough B12. I am sure that many people find 5mg/day helps them for a period of time. You just have to be careful that your folate levels do not outstrip your B12 supply or it can cause real problems. Best of luck to you.
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