blood tests

[fiftyone]

I had blood tests recently and have just noticed that my folate has dropped off a cliff. Has been going down for last couple of tests. I will be speaking to my doctor about this.

What bothers me is this: Surely it's the doctor who should notice this result and get in touch with me, not the other way round?? Is this negligence on the part of the doctor. I am sick of having to do all the contacting about dodgy blood test results. I expect my doctor to notice these way before I do. Any thoughts??

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sadly not the case for thousands of patients

Also we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Not just within range

GP will only ever treat vitamin deficiencies

Low folate and low B12 often go together

What are your results and ranges for vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Always get copies of all test results and keep google records of how well you feel at each test too

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

I am getting B12 injections every three months. My folate result was 9.6 which is considered 'normal'. Low in range is under 4.0, But my 'normal' folate used to be up at 20.00

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

You may need B12 injection more frequently than every 3 months

GP can arrange every 2 months or even monthly if necessary

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement 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 help maintain B12 levels between injections too

Difference between folate and folic acid 

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. 

If you want to try a different brand in the meantime, one with virtually identical doses of the ingredients, and bioavailable too, then take a look at Vitablossom Liposomal B Complex. Amazon sometimes has it branded Vitablossom but it's also available there branded as Yipmai, it's the same supplement

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

or available as Vitablossom brand here

hempoutlet.co.uk/vitablosso... &description=true

Or 

Igennus Vitamin B complex. Nice small tablets. Full dose is 2 tablets per day. Most people are fine with just single tablet 

igennus.com/products/super-...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

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

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement