Blood results :

[Angie56]

Hi there ,

Please can someone help me on these blood results- I think they are low though my GP says they are grand. I have been feeling very tired low mood and dizzy since October.

B12 442 range 197-771

Folate 4.3. Range 3.9-26.8

Many thanks 😊

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Angie56

B12 442 range 197-771

If the unit of measurement is pg/ml or ng/L (they are both the same), then the following applies:

According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

If the unit of measurement is pmol/L then that is the equivalent of 589.91pg/ml so you are still on the low side.

The Active B12 test is better than the Total B12 test which is what yours is, because it measures the amount of active B12 that is available for the cells to use.

Folate 4.3. Range 3.9-26.8

Your folate has barely scraped into range. The recommended level is at least half way through range, which would be 15.5+ with that range.

Your GP thinks they are fine because they have no concept of "optimal" levels of anything, they think anywhere within the range then there is no problem.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will improve B12 levels too

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon , thanks so much for your reply , hope you are well.😊

My gp more or less laughed at me thinking I was making mountains out of mole hills , it wasn’t until I told him my consultant says that I should be above 500 for B12 and 9-12 with folate.

He has prescribed cyclobalmin which I know is useless and 5mg of folic acid. I have constant migraines dizzy and exhausted but he says I’m grand.

I might order those brands u mentioned . I asked him why this keeps happening and he said no idea.

Many thanks .

[Lovecake in reply to Angie56]

The rubbish folic acid the GP prescribed gave me headaches.

I now take the B complex as recommended on here. Much better. And the liquid methyl folate to boost it if needed.

Have you had your vitamin D tested? Mine was very low. I find that I have to almost constantly supplement. The GP prescribed a loading dose of liquid gels which helped, but the only thing that keeps it at a reasonable level is the spray from Betteryou.

I have the vitD with k2. Plus I use magnesium lotion. (See Seaside Suzie’s posts for reasons why).

I find if my vitD level is at least 80 (range 50-199) then my migraines are less severe and less frequent. It’s not perfect, but a big improvement.

My GP is like yours, if it’s in range “you’re fine” aptitude. 🙁

[Angie56 in reply to Lovecake]

Hi love cake , thank you so much for your reply. I’m sorry u have had such a rough time of it too.

I have t had vitamin D tested in nearly a year as only my consultant will do it and I haven’t seen him since October with the pandemic.

I do take the better spray off and on guess I had better start taking it again . The gp did prescribe fultium vitamin d 800units. I can only sympathise with low vitamin d levels I had that six years ago was awful.

Which brand of b complex do u take? My Gp laughed when I said I have stopped cheese and yoghurt to help migraines.? I think he believes I’m a drama queen. I would be lost without the advice and support on this forum.

I had reflexology this week for the first time to help migraines.

Many thanks 😊

[Lovecake in reply to Angie56]

Igennus for the B complex.

I keep off dairy as I did an intolerance test and it came up slightly intolerant for dairy.

I also avoid soy. Soy milk gives me a migraine in minutes.

Chilli has similar effects.

Be interested to know if the reflexology helps.

Chiropractor, osteopathy and physio massages all help. But I need them every week and it’s too expensive, especially as I can’t manage a full time job (and have no work since March with the Covid issues).

Ah well, onwards and upwards (just slowly 😉)

[Angie56 in reply to Lovecake]

I must look into that brand and see if I can get it .

I don’t take soya either .

I know I’m the same not been working since October and hoping to set up teaching singing online this october.

I get cranio , kinesiology and acupunture though they are expensive so can’t afford them that often. I am always shattered and dizzy for a week after them.

I liked reflexology very relaxing though have been very exhausted since. I might try it again in a month and see. The lady said I need every fortnight but I can’t afford that or cope with the side effects. 😊

[Lovecake in reply to Angie56]

Good luck with it all.

If you find something amazing that helps migraines, ping me a message, Be really interested to know about it ☺️

[Angie56 in reply to Lovecake]

Yes no problem at all I will and you too hopefully things continue to improve for you also.😊

[E_lizab8 in reply to Angie56]

My migraines disappeared after going gluten free!

[Angie56 in reply to E_lizab8]

Hi E_lizab8 that’s awesome I did try going gluten free but I felt worse energy wise and sickness. My b12 and folate are low so it might be making migraines worse.

Hope you are well thanks so much for your reply.😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So it’s essential to regularly retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Plus test vitamin D twice year

Many/most people need to supplement vitamin D continuously to maintain optimal vitamin D levels

Common to need at least 2000iu vitamin D daily, but always test after 2-3 months after starting supplementing ..a few people only need low dose..we are all different

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

I do get my TSH , T3 and T4 tested everything three months they are ok though I would need to see my consultant to get vitamin D tested .

My GP thinks I’m such a drama queen I detest contacting them. I have had two fly’s this year and last week a sinus infection. My Gp gave me another tablet for migraines which I have refused to take now I know my bloods are low.

I stopped taking the Juice plus and didn’t join the company as I did not agree with their selling tactics or health claims.

Thank you so much I appreciate all your advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

I think Let’s get checked do testing in Ireland

Obviously this is link to U.K. site

letsgetchecked.com/gb/en/ho...

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow dragon I will have to wait until I’m working . I will order the bcomplex u mentioned Thorne or ingenue is it ok to order on Amazon as after my experience with juice plus I’m a little hesitant ?

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

Personally I prefer Igennus...small tablets and I only take one per day

Everyone is different

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

I must look into getting that brand and see how it goes. My mum has pernicious anaemia I just hope I never end up with that.

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon , hope you are well?

I bought the Igennus super B complex off Amazon I can only take half a tablet as I find one is too strong. I am on them two weeks come next weekend - how long did it take before u saw a difference in your energy levels? Thanks 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

Perhaps try increase in B complex in a week or so

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will try and take a whole tablet again in a week or perhaps try lamberts or Thorne complex. How long should it take to see increase in energy ? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

Once all vitamins are at good levels you may be able to tolerate higher dose levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

What were most recent thyroid results and ranges?

Do you always get blood test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking any thing apart from water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Remember to stop any vitamin B complex a week before ALL blood tests

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

Seem previous post ...100mcg levothyroxine plus 20mcg T3 (same as myself )

Do you split T3 into 2 or 3 smaller doses

[Angie56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow dragon , I take t3 split into two doses - I take mostly one dose as two can make me hyper. It’s the ingenus B complex I was meaning should I change to Thorne or Lamberts? Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angie56]

You could try either of those Vitamin B complex

T3 - I split into 3 doses - 10mcg at 7am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at 11pm

Plus 100mcg levothyroxine at 11pm

Always same brand- Mercury Pharma for levothyroxine and Morningside healthcare for T3