Good evening, these are my latest vitamin B and Folate results (both normal). As my Folate is still low should I be taking only Folate tablets or a Basic B complex like Thorne which includes Folate. I don't want to take more than is necessary.
Serum vitamin B12
243 pmol/L
145 - 569
Normal
Serum folate
14.4 nmol/L
8.8 - 60.8
Normal
PinkIsland
You were advised what to take for both your dire B12 and Folate levels in reply to a previous post here
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Did you not follow those suggestions from 5 months ago?
These are new results. I did follow the advice which was to first finish the prescribed folic acid and then to start the vitamin B but now that my folate is still low I wanted to know if it was best to continue with Folate rather than taking a Vitamin B complex. Sorry I’m finding it very confusing.
What exactly have you been taking since then?
Your folate level is slightly better and it might be worth trying methylfolate rather than folic acid. It's still far too low to swap to a B Complex.
Your B12 level is worse, what are you taking for this?
I have been taking Thorne basic B complex.
I thought Thorne Vitmain B complex would improve the Vitamin B 12.
I thought Thorne Vitmain B complex would improve the Vitamin B 12.
No, it was explained to you in that previous reply that if you had symptoms of B12 deficiency you should have further testing with your GP before starting a B12 supplement and with serum B12 result below 500 you should be taking a separate B12 supplement then once your serum B12 is over 500 stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
So are you saying that Vitamin B complex is not sufficient unless Vitamin B12 is over 500?
That's correct, it was all explained in that reply to your previous post.
Sorry can you please explain to me why it's not sufficient because Thorne Basic B contains 400 mcg of Vitamin B.
With your very low B12 level you would need at least 1,000mcg Methylcobalamin sublingual B12, maybe even 5,000mcg to start with. Many people with B12 in the 300s have been found to need B12 injections, did you check the symptoms of B12 deficiency which was linked to in reply to your previous post?
How do you get into previous posts? I've had this issue too.
Click on your own name - or your icon/avatar.
You should then see all your posts and replies listed.
Or click on this link (exactly the same as clicking on your name/avatar):
healthunlocked.com/user/dayoff
Thanks helvella. It doesn't give me old posts using the avatar but the link took me to the right place thank you. So much handier to be able to take notes from previous answers.
I don't know what sort of device you are using, but if you allow a mouse pointer to hover over your icon or name, most browsers will display the link they will take you to. And what I see is exactly the same as the full link I posted!
So long as you have got there - but I was hoping it would work for you now and in future.
I'm using a laptop. My phone rings and gives me texts and that's all I want from it! I'm also using my technophobe brain which is really getting in the way of things now. When I click (no hovering activation here) over the avatar I get a list including 'Update Profile' 'Settings' etc but when I click into each one none of them gives me my old posts. I've scribbled down the link and will sticky tape it to my laptop 🤪
try clicking in your name above that last reply you wrote .... for me, some of the names work and go straight to my profile page , and some others give me that update profile list.
ps. you can get there by clicking on that 'update profile '.. once on the update page, look for 'view my profile'
Having both thyroid disease and PA/B12def. my understanding has always been that folic acid should never be taken while B12 is also low as it gets 'trapped', cannot be used, and could make any neurological symptoms worse :
"High levels of folate are normally okay as long as your vitamin B12 level is also normal. Cells need vitamin B12 to use folic acid and when vitamin B12 levels are too low, folic acid cannot be used and builds up in the blood." :
Did your GP test your Folate level after the prescribed folic acid finished?
Have you not taken anything for your dire B12 level ?
Yes my Folate was retested and it was as above ( slight improvement ). I thought vitamin B complex is for vitamin B12.
B Complex is ALL the B vitamins to be taken to keep all B Vitamins in balance. Yes it contains B12 but only a low amount - a maintenance dose. Low in range B12 test results require an individual B12 tablet to raise levels and prevent neurological issues. Do you have gut issues ?
No I don't.
I only asked as B12 is absorbed in the Terminal Ileum ....
Considering you have been taking vitamin B complex, your B12 is still extremely low
Assuming you are not vegetarian or vegan…..Request GP test for Pernicious Anaemia
Alternatively try adding separate B12 as well as daily vitamin B complex and retest B12 and folate levels in 2-3 months
If B12 still remains low this is highly indicative that you need B12 injections instead
If/when your serum B12 rises over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then possibly stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 at least few times a week
Separate B12 supplements
Very effective B12 drops
natureprovides.com/products...
Or
B12 sublingual lozenges
uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
B12 range in U.K. is too wide
Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
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 and continue separate B12
They should go by symptoms not numbers. You haven't said if you checked the signs-and-symptoms of b12 deficiency.
Thank you I did and definitely have symptoms.
Then you need to list them and discuss with your GP and GP should test for B12 deficiency and pernicious anaemia. If you go to the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum here on HealthUnlocked they will be able to help further, list all your symptoms and results/ranges for them
Seaside Suzie maybe they should but they don't in my experience. Even though I had neurological symptoms and my b12, level was low but in range at 235 my GP would only refer to neurologist (6month wait). I asked for injections she said no, not allowed to local CCG dictated. I chose to start self injecting told her & she looked very relieved.My PA test Intrinsic Factor was negative - twice. It misses 50% so whilst it's worth checking it, a positive I'd definite, but a negative doesn't mean you don't have PA. GP did the blood tests.
have a look at your B12 history. It might be within normal range but way below what it normally has been for you in the past. It may be that you are unable to absorbB12 through dietary means. I speak from my own personal experience.
are you taking 5mg folate?
My folate was 2.4 so I had folate injections for and within one month it went up to 20.
Thanks everyone for your invaluable information and advice. I think I have a much clearer understanding now of folate and vitamin B. Any advice as to what are good brands of vitamin B complex and what you have personally used and are happy with would be most appreciated. I find all the different brands a bit of a minefield.
Vitamin levels 
Vitamin B12 "normal" and /Serum Folate low
Vitamin B supplements
Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, folate blood test results
Vitamin/mineral results
