Serious Mental Issues from Low Folate

[helvella]

Low folate levels are all too often discussed. Hence, although not a thyroid issue, I feel it has some importance here.

Folic Acid Treatment Is Associated With Decreased Risk of Suicide Attempts

neurosciencenews.com/folic-...

All the people I know personally with anxiety and depression issues would benefit from more (some! 😜😂) green veg in their diets!

It's hard to "sell" green veg - or even folic acid pills - to people who are down, but, as we know all too well, it works!!

Be careful as excess folate can itself make people feel very unwell. A supplement of 200 or 400 micrograms a day is likely to be fine for most of us. If more is needed, it should be prescribed (e.g. a 5 milligram dose), for a limited period, and then re-tested.

Note: Do not start folic acid/folate treatments until you are sure your vitamin B12 level is acceptable. Doing so can result in serious nerve damage. Always start B12, if needed, before folate/folic acid.

This was posted by deniseinmilden on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum. Link here in case you wish to view the comments over there.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[GlowCoach Administrator]

If eating green vegetables was the answer then I doubt I'd have had the issues that I have. Strangely spinach and broccoli have always been favourite vegetables of mine. Funny how your brain knows what you need.

I don't agree that 400mcgs is enough, especially if someone is truly deficient. That dose shifted my blood numbers by just 2 points and a long way from being optimal. There's no way my GP would agree to prescribe to get my numbers optimal, also it would just be folic acid and that's not good either.

[helvella in reply to GlowCoach]

But if you want a higher dose, you'll likely have to get a prescription. And it would always be sensible to get tested.

I was trying to say that most of us would be fine taking 200 to 400 micrograms a day - regardless. Not that it is sufficient if deficient. It could be enough to maintain a level in those who are currently only slightly low or just adequate.

With high doses, and 5 milligrams is prescription-only in the UK, greater care is required.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to helvella]

Folic acid or methyl folate doesn't require a prescription. It does however demand some respect. Going on to a high dose 5mg+ supplement is madness and will likely send you mad anyway.

As has been pointed out before, many here have the MTHFR mutation and will require more than a low dose to prevent heart problems. I have 2 brothers with heart failure already! The trick to raising dose is to do it slowly and take a day off supplement should any mild adverse effect be experienced. The worst I've had is mild insomnia for a night doing it this way. Testing of course is very important.

[helvella in reply to GlowCoach]

The 5 milligram folic acid that can be prescribed most definitely is prescription-only in the UK!

It is the standard high dose that is prescribed. Sometimes not every day (e.g. twice a week or alternate days).

And some get left on that dose without re-testing for at least many months.

The way some companies manage to sell products which are as potent, or even more potent, than prescription-only products is bizarre. Some are supplied from abroad. But I agree some are shown with UK packaging and suppliers.

[humanbean in reply to helvella]

It is possible to buy 5mg methylfolate from Amazon :

smile.amazon.co.uk/Intellig...

I have never tried methylfolate or folic acid with such a high dose, or read any reviews, so can't say if it is any good or not.

[helvella in reply to helvella]

Yes - I realise it is possible.

I did try to word it that the specific one that a doctor can prescribe is definitely POM. Not that there might not be others that are not POM!

There have been a number of members of the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum who have been prescribed 5 milligram folic acid - and felt dreadful on it. At least, after recovering their folate level.