Opinion on my B12 and folate tests, and what are ideal levels?

[Carrie234]

I got the results back for my b12 and folate a few days ago.

My folate is low, so I have changed my diet to get my folate up that way. I can't tolerate any supplement form even in small doses (folate, folinic, folic acid etc).

What about my active b12 - Monitor My Health says it is fine, is that right?

And if it's low, do I need to be careful increasing it while having low folate too?

Folate: 3 micro g /L (range 3-25)

Active B12: 68 pmol/L (range 38-210)

What's an ideal level of folate and active B12?

Thanks very much

P.S. Other results are: ferritin is 46 micro g/L (range 10-410), HB is 140g/L (range 122-270), TSAT is 42% (range 16-51)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There’s nothing on your profile page

Are you hypo and on levothyroxine?

Ideally you would take a daily vitamin B complex to keep all B vitamins in balance

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement

A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

Highly 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...

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Perhaps you have MTHFR gene?

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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 can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

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 folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Carrie234 in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks SlowDragon, yes I'm on NDT. I could well have MTHFR, it could explain the folate intolerance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Look at maintaining Ferritin over 70

So look at increasing iron rich foods in your diet

what are your thyroid results

[Carrie234 in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks - see my reply above.

I've been eating red meat daily but am looking into some iron supplementation as well as improving diet more.

[Carrie234]

It sounds like my active B12 isn't too bad then, at 68 with a target of 70?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Carrie234]

Suggest you take a separate B12 and after a week or so add a separate folate

Eg try Jarrow methyl folate

[Carrie234]

Before milk thistle the highest folate level I had was only 7.1 micro g /L, so still low I think - I'm wondering what the ideal folate level to aim for is?