Folate supplements with B12 injections

[La2016]

I am currently receiving loading doses (3 so far). I was low on B12 at 170 and low on folate (about 2) as well as macrocytic but not anaemic. Incidentally, I have low WBC but they are not sure if this is due to a bad infection a couple of months ago.I have been prescribed folate supplements but I didn't start these until my 2nd B12 injections as I remember reading on this group that treating folate before treating B12 can skew the results.

After my loading doses, my Dr wants to check so I want to provide a true picture of how I have responded to the B12.

I know the NICE guidelines advise there is no need to retest and I have already noted this with them... I will reassess myself after the blood test. If they're happy with the results, happy days!

Should I only take folate WITH the B12 injections or will I be ok taking a folate tablet daily?

If anyone can advise on the folate tablets, I would be very grateful

[Nackapan]

When you are in range with folate .Blood test useful.

All woman of child bearing age are recommended to take 400mcg. Daily folic acid ( -NHS)

I need less.

[La2016 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you, Nackapan my folate was below range at 2 but not by too much.

I'm hopeful the Dr will only check on the B12 and folate numbers moving back into range and not use this to stop further B12 injections. Annoyingly, this happened before with another Practice 🥲

[Bellabab]

The consultant who rescued me from imminent death due to B12 deficiency, told me to take 5mg Folic Acid daily and the B12 jabs every 12 weeks. I have experiment with other smaller doses and that did not go well as the EU workers who usually came to pick the dark green vegetables were put off by Brexit and I was too ill to grow my own. I intend to try taking 5mg. folic EOD in a few weeks time although there is no evidence that I can find to say 5mg per day is dangerous.

[La2016]

Hi Bellabab How long did it take you to feel better after your B12 injections and folate supplements?

[Orchard33]

A note of caution with regard to not being anaemic but being macrocytic: according to my FBC I was not regarded as being anaemic. The ferritin count was just within the NHS accepted range. In fact, it indicated deficiency and I now think I was anaemic. One size does not fit all. I paid to have a ferritin infusion and have seen improvement. Ferritin deficiency (anaemia) often go together with B12D.

[La2016 in reply to Orchard33]

I haven't seen the results yet but I wouldn't be overly surprised if i was low on ferritin too. I wasn't informed that I was macrocytic until I was face to face at the Practice. How did you arrange a private ferritin infusion?

[Orchard33 in reply to La2016]

There were two ways to do it. There was a doctor-led wellness clinic forty miles away or I could get a referral from my GP to see a haematologist at the private hospital nearby. I chose the latter. More expensive but I wanted input from a specialist about my situation as a whole.