Vitamin test results

[BallyHi10]

Hi All

I was wondering if I could have some advice on my vitamin test results. I had the test done through Monitor my Health, so no ranges are given, just a graph. I can't access the graphs if I login to MMH on my mobile, and can't work out how to copy the graph on my laptop so I can share it here.

I'm not normally this technologically useless!

Anyway, attached is all I can see if I log in to MMH on my mobile. I'll keep trying to copy the graphs!

It looks to me like my folate and ferritin are low in their range (on the graphs I can't share!) but any advice (technological or supplement) would be gratefully received.

My vitamin D was 87, which I think is okay?

I currently take the Better You D3 and K2 spray, and I also take a hair supplement called Hair Gain, which contains vitamin C, pathothenic acid (36 mg), niacin (16 mg), vitamin E (12mg), zinc (10mg) and biotin (200ug).

[BallyHi10]

Ferritin screenshot

Graph showing results

[BallyHi10]

B12 screenshot

Graph showing results

[BallyHi10]

Folate results - 5.6 iu/L

Graph showing results

[GlowCoach Administrator]

The range numbers are shown on the left column of the graph so transcribe those from where the green area is? I've not used MMH myself.

[BallyHi10 in reply to GlowCoach]

I won't be using them again. The graphs aren't that detailed, with ferritin, it's impossible to tell what the lowest figure in range is! I mean you can get an idea, but not an actual figure.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

BallyHi10

With the ferritin screenshot we can see the high pink area above the green so we can work out the "normal" range.

Do the folate and B12 also have this high pink area? If so can you show those images or perhaps tell us the numbers.

Did you leave off your hair supplement for a few days before the test? It contains 200mcg biotin so should be left off for 3 days to avoid any skewed results.

Ferritin: 55ug/L

Saturation: 36%

Ferritin is low and some experts say the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L. Although you haven't got a full iron panel there your saturation is good if you're a female, 35-45% is said to optimal with the higher end for males. As saturation is good it's likely that your serum iron is too. So you're looking to raise ferritin but not with iron tablets as that would also raise your serum iron and saturation and you probably don't want that.

You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet

bda.uk.com/resource/iron-ri...

everydayhealth.com/pictures...

Active B12: 97

The usual range for Active B12 is around 37.5-188 and we generally say here that 100 plus is a good level. Yours seems fine.

Folate: 5.6 iu/L

This shows as low in range, it would be interesting to see the top of the range if you could manage that.

Are you taking a B Complex at all or B12 supplement?

My vitamin D was 87, which I think is okay?

The Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L.

[BallyHi10 in reply to SeasideSusie]

The folate and B 12 graphs don't have the 'high' area at the top of the graph like the ferritin one, I've screenshot everything I can see when I log in.

I stopped taking the hair supplement for about 5 days before the test.

I don't take anything except the D3 & K2 spray, and the hair supplement. I am female!

To increase my vitamin D, should I do four sprays instead of three of the Better You spray? Or get a higher dose supplement?

I hate liver, I can just about tolerate liver pate ... I do eat eggs, red meat and nuts. I don't eat breakfast cereals (I have eggs for breakfast!).

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to BallyHi10]

The folate and B 12 graphs don't have the 'high' area at the top of the graph like the ferritin one,

How strange! I have this test waiting to do but wont be doing it for a few weeks yet. It will be interesting to see how it compares to my usual annual Blue Horizon one.

I stopped taking the hair supplement for about 5 days before the test.

👍

To increase my vitamin D, should I do four sprays instead of three of the Better You spray? Or get a higher dose supplement?

Yes, you could add an extra spray and maybe check level in 3 months.

I would also start taking a B Complex to try and improve your folate level.

I have used Thorne Basic B for a long time and always been happy but it can be expensive and it goes out of stock frequently as it's imported from the US. If you look at different brands then look for the words "bioavailable" or "bioactive" and ensure they contain methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin) and methylfolate (not folic acid). Avoid any that contain Vit C as this stops the body from using the B12. Vit C and B12 need to be taken 2 hours apart.

I have recently bought some of this one to try, some other members have found it to be very good. The amounts of the vitamins are very similar to Thorne Basic B, it's liposomal which is said to absorb better, there are no unnecessary added ingredients and better priced:

hempoutlet.co.uk/vitablosso...

Also available to Amazon branded as Yipmai but is the same supplement:

amazon.co.uk/Yipmai-Liposom...?

When taking a B Complex we should leave this off for 3-7 days before any blood test because it contains biotin and this gives false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure (which most labs do).

[BallyHi10 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you - have ordered a B complex, and will stop taking my hair supplement