Folate supplements, problems.: Hi, First post. I... - Thyroid UK

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Folate supplements, problems.

Tara55 profile image
9 Replies

Hi, First post. I have Folate level of 4 B12 320. I have tried Folate by Solgar, Folacin? Sorry, probably spelt wrong. It made me very anxious and nauseous, even on low dose so had to stop it. I wondered if anyone could suggest any other supplements?

I have Hashi's, raised Thyroglobulin antibodies. Untreated, Doctors Surgery is a shambles , it has been taken over by a business , even getting blood tests is a struggle. I have problems taking , or absorbing, any meds at present , my digestion is awful. I'm very much alone and very stressed.

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Tara55
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galathea profile image
galathea

I have a problem using folic acid, due to a genetic fault with an MTHFR gene. It turns out I need to take methyl folate,. I've been doing this for about 3 months now and am due a blood test next week to see if its improved. I do feel better than I did. Might be worth you having a look at the contents of what you have been taking to see if its got folic acid in.

If your digestion is bad have you considered taking betaine hcl with pepsin with each meal?

radd profile image
radd

Tara55,

Welcome to our forum.

An impairment on the MTHFR gene as mentioned by galathea is also called a single-nucleotide polymorphism or SNP’s (renounced snips).

Folic Acid is the artificial form of B9 and when methylation impairments are experienced, may block the folate receptors. The natural form of B9 is folate and the easily absorbed and active version is "methylfolate". (If low, you may also benefit from taking "methylcobalamin" which is the easily absorbable and the active form of Vit B12 which works with folate).

Genetic expression is the way genes express in response to an environment, diet, lifestyle, mindset ….. and good methylation helps with good conversion of food/nutrients into further detoxification, energy, cellular protection & immune response, etc, etc ... 😃

Every gene in every cell is regulated by methylation controlling genetic expression and it is the methylation cycle that processes genes, enzymes, biochemicals, etc to receive the methyl groups and good function, involving adding a “methyl group” (one carbon atom plus three hydrogen atoms) to something (ie gene, enzyme, hormone, neurotransmitter, vitamin).

If your body is more predisposed to chronic conditions (anxiety, immune disease, or even depression or heart disease, etc … ) improper methylation will greatly increase your risk of developing or worsening these conditions.

It may be prudent to investigate reducing your raised TGAb's. Post any thyroid hormone test results, complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

BadHare profile image
BadHare

Your B12 looks low, too.

It might be time for a diet overhaul & avoid all processed foods.

Lots of fruit & vegetables are rich in folate & are good prebiotics that improve our gut bacteria. Going gluten free for at least three months mght reduce your antibodies & improve your digestion & nutrient absorption.

Tara55 profile image
Tara55

Thanks everyone, that's interesting. It's MethylFolin I've taken which made me ill.

I have been Hypothyroid for over 5 years, the results are somewhere on my phone. The numbers are up and down, TSH , which I know is the Doctor's 'Holy Grail' 🙄 has varied from 2-5 back to 3 and up to 7 Free T4 has been 12-14 . Not sure about TGab.

I have taken Jarrow B12 sublingual, stopped it before last year's blood test.

I developed M.E. in 2001, until then I had no problems with meds. I know about the digestive enzymes you mentioned but they're capsules and I am really scared what effect they will have on me, which sounds crazy. But, my late father had stomach ulcers, too much acid and I witnessed his pain. Logically, I know I have low stomach acid!

Yes, I have been gluten free for a few years now. I eat quite a lot of vegetables, peas, some spinach, carrots. Fruit, banana, berries, occasional oranges but they can cause me discomfort and I have sea salt as it's obvious my adrenals are suffering, I have every symptom, plus underweight.

Tara55 profile image
Tara55 in reply toTara55

Hi. Thanks to all of you for your advice. Sorry its taken a while but I have some test results from last September, due to have more. I have copied and pasted so I hope it's OK. I am supplementing Vit D and had the usual loading dose btw.

HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION. 4.3 (4.0-11.0)

NEUTROPHIL COUNT 2.4 (2.0

MONOCYTE COUNT. 0.4 (0.1-1.0

EOSINOPHIL COUNT 0.1 (0.0-0.5)

NUCLEATED RED BLOOD CELL COUNT 0.0(0.0-0.2)

SODIUM 141 (133.0-146.0)

POTASSIUM 4.1.(3.5-5.3)

CREATININE 49 (45.0-84.0)

FERRITIN 60 FEMALE 17-60 REFERENCE

13-150

FOLATE 2.6 (3.9-26.8)

B12- 333 (197.0-771.0)

SERUM CRP 1 MG(0.0-5.0)

SERUM CALCIUM 2.39 (2.2-2.6)

INORGANIC PHOSPHATE LEVEL 1.22 (0.8-1.5)

ALKALINE PHOSPHATE 65 (30.0-130.0)

TOTAL PROTEIN 66 (60.0-80.0)

ALBUMIN 44 (35.0-50.0)

GLOBULIN 22(17.0-35.0

PLASMA GLUCOSE 4.7 (3.0-6.0)

ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE 9 (0.0-33.0)

TOTAL BILIRUBIN 5 (0.0-20.0)

SERUM CHOLESTEROL 6.42

TRIGLYCERIDES 1.20 (0.3-2.3)

HDL CHOLESTEROL 1.72 (1.15-1.68)

LDL CHOLESTEROL 4.15 MMOl/L

Tara55 profile image
Tara55 in reply toTara55

Could someone comment on the above results? I hope I have posted in the correct place

radd profile image
radd in reply toTara55

Tara55,

It is better to start a new post that will invite more members comments re your results.

But as I am here ……

Haemoglobin level is low.

Cholesterol could be viewed as high by some.

Folate is low.

Vit B12 is still low even through you have been supplementing.

Ferritin is half way through range but have you had a full iron panel ? Ferritin is a protein for iron storage but also an inflammation marker so can be falsely raised.

Methylfolate is the most readily absorbable form of folate, and anxiety can also a be part of compromised adrenal issues caused by long term low thyroid hormone. Gut problems are notoriously common with thyroid issues and digestive enzymes/probiotics don't usually cause stomach ulcers.

Are you medicating thyroid hormone replacement ? Do you have recent thyroid test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment ?

I am sorry to hear you feel so unwell.

Tara55 profile image
Tara55

Thank you radd I did start a new thread and added thyroid results TSH was 4.79 just over the 4.8 upper figure in range.

Free T4 14. no range for that and I was low in Vit D but took loading dose and then 1,000 Better You spray but now need to know what maintenance dose I should take . I didn't even notice HAEMOGLOBIN count was so low. Anyway hopefully someone will comment on my latest thread. 2 days ago now.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

Thank you for posting....sorry you feel so unwell....interesting replies/methylation comments. I have difficulty with folate and Ferritin..

Re adrenals...has anyone mentioned a short Synachten test... my endo has just suggested this.

Hope things improve soon, I'm sure someone here will have the answers you need.

Good luck

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