Folate deficiency with normal labs

[roukounasGK]

Hello everyone!

I need your precious feedback on a case that has risen up on me lately:

Is it possible to have a folate deficiency with normal lab values?

I had a blood test which came up with normal folate values ( 7.2 ng/ml with a normal value of >5.4).

The labs also resulted to a higher than normal homocysteine.

My Dr ordered that I take folate as a supplement to counter the increased value of homocysteine.

Is this normal? Does this mean that i am deficient in some way on folate?

[Jazzw]

Those are pretty low folate levels—yes, in “normal” range, but many of us would experience deficiency symptoms at that level.

However, before agreeing with your doctor that you should supplement with folate—what were your Vitamin B12 levels? Were they tested too?

[roukounasGK in reply to Jazzw]

Hey Jazzw thanks a lot for your answer! No, b12 was not tested this time, but it has been tested many times in the past (last time was a year ago) and its always pretty stable (around 360 on a range of 160-970) so I don't think it was required (and most probably my dr as well since he didn't order it).But my ferretin was (i dont know if its relative) and was normal (91 on q range of 22-322)

On this note can you please tell me which are the normal levels of folate? I tried searching for it but i always get the whole range and not the optimal values.

Thanks again!

[nellie237]

Did the dr check your kidneys?

[roukounasGK in reply to nellie237]

You mean as a blood test right? I got gGT which was normal, GOT which was normal as well and GPT which was increased (75 on a range of >54)

[nellie237 in reply to roukounasGK]

I don't recognise those abreviations, apart from maybe gGT (? Serum gamma GT) which I get on my liver function tests. The most important Kidney result is Serum Creatinine.

[roukounasGK in reply to nellie237]

Indeed, gGT is gamma GT. Regarding the other tests maybe you know them with another name? GOT=ALT & GPT=AST? Sorry i am greek and all the tests are in greek so i am having a hard time translating them lol!Anyways, yes, i have done creatinine as well and its normal. I have a fatty liver so for me creatinine is not so important; the most important tests to look out for are gGT & GPT (AST).

[nellie237 in reply to roukounasGK]

I thought they might be. I'm glad your kidneys are OK ' cos that raises homocysteine too, and you need that like a hole in the head. I hope the folate brings it down.

[humanbean]

Since you are Greek, you should find this link of Interest :

labtestsonline.gr/

There are multiple versions of the same website - not all are identical, but are available in different languages :

testing.com/global-sites/

All the websites used to be called labtestsonline, but some of them have gradually changed over the years.

[roukounasGK in reply to humanbean]

Thanks a lot humanbean ! It is good to have such a site as a reference!

[WhyAmISoTired]

Could still be the B12. Maybe cross post in the pernicious anemia forum.