B12 Injections and Folic Acid question

Hi! I am starting my course of B12 injections on Monday and my GP also gave me a prescription for folic acid tablets too but said not to start them until my injections.

I just wondered, did anyone else take folic acid with their injections and when did you start? On day one of the injections? My prescription looks like it’s a one off, is this normal or have others been on it long term after finishing the injections? (My folate isn’t low, but I think it’s borderline, 4.7 range 3.9-26.8, and my P.A test was negative)

I will obviously ask these questions when I go in on Monday but curious to know others experiences!

Thank you

[Narwhal10]

Hi Nicki-Lou92,

Yes, people delay taking folate to ensure the B12 deficiency is being treated. Folate deficiency masks PA/B12D. However, someone else will be able to answer you specifically. (I learn things and forget. Oops. So need to write it somewhere as it is super important).

From your previous posts your ferritin is 32 mg/L which you need to be around 60 mg/L. Your ferritin levels can drop again with Hydroxycobalamin as it is required in making the nice red stuff of blood cells.

You may just see a nurse on Monday who is just administering the injection. I do not know but many of us just purchase supplements ourselves.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you! That makes sense!

Ooh okay, that’s interesting and definitely something I need to flag, I’ve had a repeat ferritin blood test yesterday… the GP I spoke to wouldn’t re supplement me because my full blood count and haemoglobin hasn’t dropped and said that iron deficiency is just something I’m prone to… you can imagine I wasn’t too happy with that response! So managed to eventually get them to agree to at least recheck it all.., the results haven’t come back yet so will chase Monday and ask….

Yeah I believe it’s a HCA I’m seeing to administer the injections… the plan at the moment is six injections over 2 weeks (Mon, Wed and Fri next week and the week after) then one every 3 months…. My Mum is a nurse and she knows of people who self inject and has already said if needed she can help me with the injections..!

Thank you!

[Suesue246]

Hi. I recently saw a consultant who said my folate of 12.3 was OK but would be better if it was between 15 and 20. He has given me a prescription of 5mg folic acid once a week. He said with P.A. it's important to monitor folate ferritin and Vit D. He's told me to take D3 with K2 and he gave me an iron infusion as my ferritin was 13. He's put me on once a week B12 injections at present.I know other people say to take folic acid daily with amount varying depending on frequency of injections, but I'm following what I've been prescribed. I will have a follow up in May so my treatment may or may not change then.