My serum folate was 7.2 in December, is this normal? My tongue is a very red colour and sore. Is this anything to do with Hypothyroid?

[Lucky23]

[Hidden]

Hi Lucky23, this is a symptom of a B12 deficiency. Have you had this tested?

[Lucky23 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I had my B12 tested in December and it was 800 and I have never taken supplements. I was surprised when it came back that high. I have read that most people on this site are on the low side. Hope it wasn't a mistake by the Lab.

Thank you

[Heloise in reply to Lucky23]

I think there is an "active b12" test that is more accurate. Perhaps you should seek having that one under these circumstances. Don't take any b12 for a week or maybe more before you take the test. Is that what you did before?

[Hidden]

Weird, maybe it's oral thrush?

You've obviously thought about B12, do you have any other symptoms? 9 or 10 years ago after the birth of my first child I had oral thrush, and then not long after an infected mouth ulcer (which was hideously painful)! In my case these were early signs of a B12 deficiency that was picked up about 2 or 3 years later. I think it's called glossitis when B12 related, something else to google...

You should get the doc to look at it, just in case it needs some treatment. x

[Lucky23 in reply to Hidden]

I am seeing my Dr next week, so hopefully it will be sorted out. I have also had Lichen Planus of the skin for 5 months, I wonder if that has got anything to do with it!

[Hidden in reply to Lucky23]

This is interesting, since your folate level isn't that brilliant. Perhaps ask your doc to measure red cell folate, or trial some supplements yourself?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/119...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You might find this thread interesting as well:

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Lucky23 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, they are both interesting. Do you now what the best folate supplements are?

[Hidden in reply to Lucky23]

You can get 5mg from the GP on prescription (I take this), probably best for you to print off the article and discuss it when you see the doc next week, and obviously he needs to have a look at your tongue first. I would debate getting your B12 retested just in case, as you shouldn't really take folic acid without correcting a B12 deficiency.

Otherwise I think Holland & Barrett do an 800mcg one?

[Lucky23 in reply to Hidden]

Okay, thank you for your help!