Folate

[Yoll]

I've been told I should increase my folate.

I've read around but I'm really not sure how to do this and what dose to take.

I don't know which brand to go for I do take a Vit B complex (genus Super B) but it doesn't seem to have B9 in it.

Thanks everyone

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yoll

B9 is folate/folic acid. Igennus Super B contains 667mcg methylfolate per 2 tablets.

[Yoll in reply to SeasideSusie]

Is that enough? my blood test just says Folate 8.05 ug/L (Range: > 3.89) so I thought I was ok?

but someone else looked at it and said they were low.

Humanbean has a full range 15 - 20 ug/L.

[Yoll in reply to Yoll]

P.S I had stopped taking it before the test

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Yoll]

So your folate probably isn’t low

Yes you need to stop taking vitamin B complex a week before all blood tests as it contains biotin

During that week of no vitamin B complex folate levels drop rapidly

Instead during that week suggest you take a separate folate….eg Jarrow folate

You should see folate result improve

[Yoll in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ll try that thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Yoll]

Yoll

Humanbean has a full range 15 - 20 ug/L.

That's where Humanbean says she likes to keep her level.

Different labs have different ranges. Medichecks range is 3.89-19.45 (although they now seem to just display it as >3.89). Blue Horizon's range is 8.83-60.8. It's generally recommended on here to aim for at least half way through range. So with Medichecks you want 12 plus, and with Blue Horizon you'd want 35 plus.

You used Medichecks so you're looking at 12 plus. Your level was 8.05ug/L so it's a bit low but it's not folate deficiency (that would be less than 3ug/L). The amount of folate in Igennus should be plenty to improve your folate level.

[humanbean]

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

The above link has suggestions for what to supplement with. Amazon and other supplement sites sell many different folate supplements. I just search for Methylfolate and it finds me products that are acceptable to me.

I try to find supplements that have the fewest ingredients apart from the Methylfolate. I don't have a particular brand that I stick to, I buy what seems to be a good deal on the day I buy.

I buy a product with a dose of 1000mcg and take it once a day. (Higher doses are available, but I'm happy with 1000mcg.) If a test shows my level is where I want it to be I reduce to taking the product 3 or 4 days a week to try and maintain it rather than raise it further. For unknown reasons I have problems keeping my level of folate where I want it and it fluctuates wildly. Note that I also take a B Complex which contains methylfolate too.

I aim to keep my folate level in the top half of the range. But in cases where the top of the range doesn't exist I try to keep it in the range 15 - 20 ug/L.

[Yoll in reply to humanbean]

Good to know I can pick and choose

[Yoll]

Great Thank you

[Imaaan]

Lentils are a great food source

[Yoll in reply to Imaaan]

Thanks for the tip but lentils, peas stone fruit etc.... and I, really don't get on !

[Imaaan in reply to Yoll]

Sorry to hear. I have food intolerances so I can understand. Hope your folate levels improve. Keep an eye on your b12 levels as you supplement with folate because it can mask a b12 deficiency

[Yoll in reply to Imaaan]

I will just had another blood test so I’ll check

[Batty1 in reply to Yoll]

Lentils make me sick .. so strange.