I'm due routine bloods .The G.p has put B12 on the form.
Luckily got it on paper.
Obviously not having that as a waste of money and levels will be high .
They might use that against me.
Folate has been listed separately.
In my experience B12 and folate are done on the same assay In the lab.
Has anyone had folate done on it's own by the NHS ??
Yes I had it done.
I refused the B12 test, Gp responded by telling me to test my folate the two have to be done together. I stuck firm and hey ho my folate was drawn without testing my B12 ! I always ask what tests have been put on the form and insist B12 is removed.
That's good you managed to get folate done independently.
Thanks for reply 🙂
Good practice done together for first test .
Not after that though
So annoying B12 on there.
They prescribe 2 weekly b12 for goodness sake.
Doh!!!
I will see what I can do.
Any doubts won't have B12 or folate.
Prescription due and don't want any problems!!!
Never easy.
The whole process of 'applying ' for a blood test .
Then actuslly getting form.
Then trying to book phlebotomist way more complicated now .
Used to take one phone call.
Progress hey.
My levels of folate rose quickly at the start only taking 400mcg folic acid.
I take 200mcg in a multivit every other day and folate rich foods .
Risk management decision as always!!
yes I had folate done separately about 18 months ago
Once upon a time, we did B12 on Monday, and Folate later in the week, on two separate samples, but that's very many years ago, and using microbiological assays. Then, radioisotopic assays came on the scene. For a few years we used an assay kit that measured B12 and folate on a single tube [Simultrac S] and it wasn't possible to do one without the other, but it was a massive time-saver. However, it would have been easy to avoid reporting the test that wasn't needed although there might have been times when it wasn't an ethical approach. Then it all went full circle, and separate assays came back.
It's 'purely' a matter of getting the message across, because lots of folks won't even give it a thought.
Doing something that you've not agreed to is assault.
So mine were done together 4 years ago.
Maybe it's just each labs approach ??
I just want to avoid the conversation about high B12 levels .
On a prescription of 2 weekly hydroxcobalamin they will be HIGH.
It's more than possible then used against me to stop my b12 prescription .
Perhaps if no assurance I will not have folate done .
Useful to know is done separately at times .
It's taken me 6 weeks to get my folate, vitamin D and iron bloods approved by my surgery. Several clinical meetings, a letter to the B12 specialist and they have finally conceded that I need them...but they sneaked B12 on there. Yet again, I had to tell them why they shouldn't be testing B12 now and that I do not consent to my blood being taken for B12 testing. It has now been taken off the request but it's the second time I've had to do this and apparently the surgery don't need any further training on B12 deficiency diagnosis and management 🤔. I suspect my folate is low as I've started getting more tired and "the sighs" are back but we'll see next week!
Yes - but never from primary care since 2018/19.
It's always been >2000 since 2016 and nothing is said.
Yes my last B12 was done when folate only requested as the lab dud it on the same assay.B12 was ovef 2000 in 2019.
In the current climate and with a new surgery in not convinced it will be ignored.
Just wondered if things had changed with subsequent testing .
So irritating when we all know its s waste of time and money .
Also high levels depending on what G.p sees them csn be used against you.
It was a second request for bloods.
First one rejected.
Then passed to senior partner I've not met who santioned a blood test but added B12 ??
Really illustrating no knowledge of B12 😓
I just cross b12 off on the form. The phlebotomists, in my experience, don’t query it and by the time the GP gets the results they’ll likely have forgotten that they asked for it in the first place 😁
B12 Folate
B12 folate 
Folate deficiency
