Hi could anyone please help me to interpret these blood results.
Serum ferritin - 106 (15 - 150 premenopausal women)
Serum folate - 4.1 (4.6 - 18.7)
Serum vitamin B12 - 136 (191 - 663)
Vitamin D total - 60.3 (>75)
I am wondering if taking a B12 supplement might have masked a folate deficiency?
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Ferritin is pretty fine. Regardless of the range, under 90 is never good. Thyroid and adrenals need at least that to function properly.
Folate is very low. Vitamin B12 is very low (should be above 500 for proper functions - In Japan the range for B12 is 500-1200). Taking B12 can drop folate. It's a good idea to take these at the same time. There are three different types of B12 (methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin). If you get side effects with one, try a different one. Hydroxocobalamin is the same one as in the injections and is better tolerated. I'm not too familiar, what is good folate, but folate is the natural version and folic acid is the synthetic version. If you cannot find natural, then get synthetic.
Vitamin D is very low. Again it's good to be above 95. When taking vitamin D, I'd recommend an oil capsule (capsule with oil inside). I'd take 100mcg per day for a couple of months.
Hope this helps.
Wow Klea you're SERIOUSLY b12 deficient so I would check the pernicious anaemia society website for a checklist of the symptoms in I were you. If your bloods were tested by your gp, what exactly is he doing about it. He REALLY needs to be following this up as a matter of urgency as neuropathic symptoms can cause permanent damage if not treated.
You need to find the reason for it being so low.
If you are vegetarian or taking certain medication this can affect how your body absorbs b12. However if you have Pernicious Anaemia you need to have your Intrinsic factor antibodies tested as you are unable to absorb b12 through your stomach and will need injections for life. You will probably need to hassle the doctor as doubt he will understand the significance of these results but it does need to be addressed straightaway.
Hashimotos and pernicious anaemia are both autoimmune diseases which are often found together. Similar symptoms and serious consequences from lack of treatment. Also check out their forum for further info or to ask them any questions. Just like here they're very helpful and knowledgeable.
Another tip -stay away from the anti depressants. With proper b12 treatment the depression and anxiety should start to ease but may take a while.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
Hi doctor has just commented on folate result saying it is slightly low. Thanks for directing me to link for B12 deficiency. Most of the symptoms I have.
I'm surprised he didn't mention the fact that your b12 is well below range but at the same time I'm not surprised at all. Is a subject they know very little about. I have attached a link for the BCSH guidelines that every doctor should have a copy of for diagnosing b12 and Folate deficiencies. It is well worth reading through. There's a handy flow chart on page 29. Honestly I would print it and use it if smack your doctor found the face with it.
you are folate and B12 deficient. the two work together. high folate can mask one of the classic symptoms of B12 deficiency -macrocytosis - larger rounder blood cells - but as you folate is bottom of scale that isn't an issue. I have never come across anything talking about B12 masking symptoms of folate deficiency.
note 30% of people develop neurological/neuro psychiatric probs before macrocytosis starts to develop.
please go see your doctor with these results. you need treatment -which should be injections for the B12 deficiency
please also join the PAS forum
Those numbers for folate are more than just pernicious anemia. You likely have genetic mutations in some of the folate and methionine cycle genes,which can lead to very low levels of folate and B12 and cause some very serious health problems, including cancer.
In the short term, try taking 2-3 mg of methylcobalamin daily, preferably sub lingual. Then after a week or two, add in 1 mg of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. You will also want a good quality multivitamin and B complex. These are guesses only. You may feel symptoms of anxiety or depression, which will tell you the folate and B12 are doing something but you haven't found the right mix. Be persistent.
Genova Diagnostics has a NutrEval test which can help you customize to your needs. Their website GDX.net has a sample test you can see. It's not just about folate and B12, there's a lot more to it....
Also, do a 23andme test, which can help you identify the gene SNPs that are driving your issues.
Please be persistent in pursuing this - the worst thing you can do for yourself is to do nothing.
Good luck!
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