Ferritin, b12 and folate

[VickyWhitlock]

I have finally got some blood results and wonder if they are low, though they say normal? Can anyone help? Thanks!

Serum b12 262 ng/l

Folate 6.1 ug/L

I was told I couldn't be tested for selenium as it wasn't a common test.

[Clutter]

VickyWhitlock, you haven't included ferritin.

B12 262 is low, 1,000 is optimal according to the PA Society. Supplement 5,000mcg methylcobalamin for a couple of months and then reduce to 1,000mcg daily. Take a B Complex vitamin to improve folate and other B vitamins.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[VickyWhitlock in reply to Clutter]

Ferritin 11ug/l

[Clutter in reply to VickyWhitlock]

VickyWhitlock, that must be bottom of the range, if not deficient! Supplement iron and take each tablet with 500-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation. Take iron 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

_____________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[VickyWhitlock]

Well, they tell me the normal range is 5 to 204. Seems a wide range to me!

[Hidden in reply to VickyWhitlock]

It's a bonkers and inaccurate and chauvinist range. Get it up to 80 and some of your symptoms may vanish. But low nutrients don't go alone, you are likely to have more deficiencies. Any idea why yr iron is so low, heavy periods, celiac, h pylori... any guesses?

[VickyWhitlock]

Nope. Have Hashimotos, quite heavy periods, and am being tested for coeliac (reluctantly on their part) in six weeks time. Doctor refuses to look at anything other than TSH. Says I am clearly prone to auto immune and there's nothing to be done.

[VickyWhitlock]

By the way, thanks for the advice!

[crimple]

Vicky, If you have antibodies/Hashimotos then you could try Gluten free diet. Once your gut has recovered you should be able to absorb nutrients better and hence improve Iron/ferritin and B12, but for the time being supplements are very important, also get your Vit D level tested. With respect to Selenium I had a private test through Genova which showed I had good levels-near top of range but I do eat 2 or 3 brazil nuts every day. Do hope you get sorted.

[VickyWhitlock]

Thanks! Started gluten free a couple of weeks ago, so let's see. Thanks so much!