Folate question

[Tasker]

Hi all,

Just a quick question - do I stop taking folic acid in the run-up to a blood test (ie tests including folate) or do I keep taking it? I have stopped my B complex as it contains biotin, and will miss my levo the night before, but not sure if I should keep taking the folic acid or not as it's a B vitamin. Grateful for advice - thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It's biotin that can be a problem because sometimes biotin is used in the testing. Folic acid won't affect the results, and your folate result will show whether you are taking enough folic acid. Other than biotin (or B Complex containing it) any other vitamins and minerals you normally take, take them after the blood draw.

[Tasker in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you!

[Gambit62]

folate is quite responsive to diet as the amounts stored outside the blood are very small - so the folate result isn't going to be useful if you are supplementing - unless it still comes back low in which case you obviously have an absorption problem

[Tasker in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for the advice.