Co factors

[Wildlife1]

Long story but I've had b12 deficiency for 8 years, started b12 injections a while ago. My folate was deficient too at 3.2 in 2017 but is good now, along with good iron and vitamin d levels, as long as my folate is in the top reference range is there any need to supplement folic acid?

[Regenallotment]

from wht I’ve read here if we are supplementing B12 we also need to replace the folate that gets used up processing the B12 (unless I’ve misunderstood). Over on the thyroid forum lots of folks take both together.

[Wildlife1 in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks, I've also read this on the wake up to b12 forum.

[Technoid]

No, no need if levels are good and you get enough from diet.

B12 does not deplete folate.

[Bellabab in reply to Technoid]

B12 metabolism uses folate so if we are using more B12 we need to ensure our folate levels are high.

[Technoid in reply to Bellabab]

B12 is a co-factor required for folate metabolism so it's more accurate to say that Folate metabolism (the folate cycle) requires B12 but this is a technicality. Providing more B12 to the body does not mean that more B12 will be used/consumed - as I mentioned many times before, the body does not have an infinite demand for B12 and the usage of B12 (and folate) does not scale with the amounts provided.

The original poster has adequate folate through diet and is absorbing it fine as evidenced from their blood tests. The provision of B12 from injections is clearly not negatively affecting their folate so there is no reason for them to supplement.

If someones diet is poor in folate or they have problems absorbing it, it can make sense to supplement, but that is not the case here.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I would ensure folate, ferritin, thyroid and vitamin D are monitored regularly. As long as folate in the top third of range, ferritin over 80, vitamin D over 100, I don't think there is a cause to worry.

I found these all to be rather erratic at first, needing supplements off and on and took a couple of years to settle down. GP kept an eye on these and advised me. Still good to know what they are doing and good to catch any "blips" early on.

For thyroid results, I'd ask Marz if I was worried.

[Wildlife1]

Thanks for the information, I'm checking these vitamins fairly regularly.