Help with Folate

[Meerkat1234]

I am now having B12 injections. I ordered Folate that SlowDragon said. It says do not take with anti epileptic tablets, which I take for neuropathy. I also need a B complex and Ferritin. I also take Zopiclone (sleeping tablet), Diazepam (Valium) and I think these supplements interact with these drugs. Vitamin D gave me terrible side effects. Can anyone advise. I am seeing a Consultant Psychiatrist on the 16th August for a medication review. Can anyone advise me. Thanks.

[Wwwdot]

Meerkat

Sending lots of hugs - you will get lots of great support too from the members

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[Meerkat1234 in reply to Wwwdot]

Sending you lots of hugs back to you too. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need to discuss with psychiatrist

Neuropathy is frequently low B12 / folate

Request folate is tested along with full iron panel test including ferritin for anaemia

Which vitamin D have you tried

Are you taking any magnesium supplement in afternoon or evening

[Meerkat1234 in reply to SlowDragon]

Morning SlowDragon. I am confused. Consultant Haematologist just rang and I said was I anemic. She said no and my haemaglobin was higher than it should be not lower. I didn’t know folate caused neuropathy as well as low B12. Vitamin D was Mykind. Haematologist said blood macrocytosis and is doing more tests. I am also concerned about gallstones as I have bad pain on my right side. I can’t see a psychiatrist knowing about supplements. I was put on all this psychiatric medication when it was my thyroid. Now I am addicted to it. I haven’t taken any magnesium. In January my folate was

Serum Folate 4.28 ug/L N/R 3.00 - 20.00.

My Iron level was

23.6 umol/L NR 11. - 32.0

[Meerkat1234 in reply to Meerkat1234]

P.S My Ferritin was

117.8 ug/L NR 11.0 - 307.0

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Meerkat1234]

Surprisingly your iron and ferritin don’t look too bad, especially as you haven’t been eating any meat

[Star13]

 Meerkat1234 I used to be on Zopiclone for years before stopping it a couple of years ago. I had no interaction with my B12 injections. I also take a B Complex that has some B 12 and Folate and I take Folate and none of them interact. I also have neuropathy. I also take Topiramate which is an antiepileptic but not for epilepsy and again it's fine with Folate.

I can't advise you what you should do but just say Im fine with it.

[Meerkat1234 in reply to Star13]

Hello Star13. Thanks for your helpful reply. Did you get off the Zopiclone ok. They want me to come off that and Valium which will be a lot harder. I was given Lyrica (anti epileptic drug) for neuropathy. How are you affected by your neuropathy. The folate had a warning saying about antiepilectic drugs. I didn’t know low folate could chaise neuropathy. I have numb hands and feet and sometimes mouth and seems to be made worse with food especially protein. I was ok with B12 injections but I think they might be too late for it to go. It is very miserable suffering from it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Meerkat1234]

numb hands and feet and sometimes mouth

All likely linked to being extremely hypo.

Carpal tunnel and similar with ankles is often low thyroid levels, especially low Ft3

How much levothyroxine are you now taking

How long since started on this dose

[Meerkat1234 in reply to SlowDragon]

That is reassuring to know SlowDragon. I am almost due for blood test after eight weeks of 50mcg. I have got carpel tunnel in hands and possibly feet. It is good that my iron and ferritin is okay. I was relieved when haematology said I wasn’t anemic. It is my folate and Vitamin D which are low. It is depressing going out in a wheelchair but you were there once and you give me hope and encouragement. Thanks

[Star13 in reply to Meerkat1234]

Yes I was surprised at how easy I got off it. I had to have a spinal op and so they took me off it then because of the other drugs I was on. I was wanting to come off it anyway so very please that it was a good opportunity to do it. I now take magnesium and it's just as good to help sleep.

Getting your thyroid and vitamins at the right levels takes time but it makes so much difference when you do. My FT4 was struggling to get into range for months and then got stuck around 11. As soon as I started taking the extra vitamins it jumped up to the mid 14's.

Do what the great people on here advise and you will soon be feeling better.

[Meerkat1234 in reply to Star13]

Well done for getting off Zopiclone. It doesn’t help me sleep. That’s interesting about magnesium. I will have to try that. Thanks for replying and telling me what you have. You are very kind. Thank you. Take care.