Advice

[Popcorn12345]

How long should you supplement b12 before starting folate?

[Nackapan]

Are you having b12 injections? Is your folate low by blood results?

[Popcorn12345 in reply to Nackapan]

No I'm not. Just supplementing as doctor says I'm not deficient. I have borderline low folate.

[Nackapan in reply to Popcorn12345]

The NHS says all child bearing aged women shoujd take 400mcg daily of folic acid anyhow.It's a good maintenence dose.

As you've decided to take oral b12 you can take folic acid now.

It's just not wise to take folic acid first if you are b12 deficient .

[Popcorn12345 in reply to Nackapan]

The doc says I'm not but I think I'm borderline low. How long should I supplement b12 before starting the folate? A month? More? Less?

[Nackapan in reply to Popcorn12345]

See another doctor Another blood test will show b12 levels.

No actually time frame can be given .

With injections you know it's straight into the blood stream so can start folic acid if needed .

Get copies of your blood results.

Only take folic acid if needed or a maintenence dose .

If symptoms persist ask for more tests to rule other things out too.

Only you know all the details.

[Popcorn12345 in reply to Nackapan]

My doctor surgery is adamant I don't have b12 problems. Not much more I can do. They are running an intrinsic factor just to humour me. I guess I'm on my own with this. I don't know what to do for the best.

[Nackapan in reply to Popcorn12345]

What do they say your symptoms are caused by then ??

Keep pushing.

Seeing other doctors .

Only you know your body.

[Popcorn12345 in reply to Nackapan]

They said sometimes modern medicine doesn't have the answer and live with it

[Nackapan in reply to Popcorn12345]

I was told that.

I moved on to the next doctor.

Also told anxiety was the cause.

Told stress was the cause

Offered antidepressants? At least t times.

Told yoga and a massage would sort me.

Not sure how I was coming across .

So listed 5 ordinary things I couidnt do.

1. Stand in a shower

2. Watch TV

3. Read text without it fading or letters jumping

4. Walk in a straight line

5. Couldnt put artificial lights 9n 8n he house

I 3as treated as though I was mentally ill.

Even accused of

Putting on an act .

Brimmed hat dark glasses

Stagger walk

On one occasion asked to take them off.

So dud and promptly lost my balance and fell against z wall.

The shocked G.p got Mr to a chair .

They didn't know .

Referral was made .

Found one G.p who

Apparently liked a challenge and sticked with her

[Popcorn12345]

No one will take me seriously. Hopefully my levels will go up using the liquid. It will just be slower than injections

[Bellabab]

The point here is that taking folic acid supplements will cloud the results for B12 in the blood by enlarging red blood cell size. Hence the need to wait till all relevant blood tests are complete. B12 works hand in hand with folate so the more frequent the injection the more often the folic acid tablets need to be taken - I take 5mg daily and GP prescribes

[Popcorn12345]

I'm not currently taking folate. Point is how long after b12 supplementation should you start folate. I have no choice but to go this alone so I'm trying to work out what to do for the best

[Technoid in reply to Popcorn12345]

When I got my first B12 injection they said wait 24 hours before taking the folic acid.

The caution is related to (very old) reports of (massive doses of) folic acid exacerbating neuropathy when used without B12. Thpse doses are not used today. Without getting into the weeds, there is actually some debate about whether this was really happening too but often these things are done and continue to be recommended out of an abundance of caution and almost become "tribal wisdom" where no one really remembers the details of why X was done but it continues nevertheless.

If you don't have any neurological symptoms of B12 deficiency the whole thing is likely moot for you. Pay more attention to excellent diet, rest, supplement as needed to help support your recovery.