Folate

[Jefner]

You know me, always looking for answers to try and help myself and get shot of all these horrible symptoms. I have been having a bit of a read up on folate as in what symptoms you might experience if it's too low. Tbh I am not quite sure how optimal in the range it should be but from looking back at old tests I wonder whether I should be supplementing it on it's own

Old results when I was on the same B Complex daily BUT didn't know at that time to stop them a few days BEFORE testing so results may be false readings and in reality may have been a lot lower

April 2018 ....Serum Folate 30.60 (8.83 - 60.8 nmol)

Nov 2018 .....Serum Folate 26.50 (8.83 - 60.8 nmol)

Results when I have taken a few days break from B Complex before testing

April 2024.... Serum Folate 29.80 (8.83 - 60.8 nmol) - 3 days break

July 2024 ....Serum Folate 15.10 (8.83 - 60.8 nmol/) - approx. 1 week break

Looking at July's result after being off them for around a week my Folate looks a little low so I clearly need to supplement it?

I didn't know a lot of people could find their B complex "stimulating" until I posted on here some time back about it, so since that discussion and realising that after years of taking them daily they could be "stimulating" my anxiety so speak, I no longer take daily. After my July test I restarted on half a capsule about 3 times a week BUT I wonder, because I have now lessened my intake whether my Folate has now dropped even further as it wasn't that great from my July results and having a week or so off them before testing it showed in being a little low in range, so I clearly I need it but do I need ALL the other B's apart from my B12?

Some of the symptoms I am currently experiencing MORE of the last couple of weeks could relate to being a little low in Folate ie. more fatigue, weakness, poor concentration and memory and because it helps regulate serotonin and dopamine levels, I am experiencing more depression, but it's difficult to tell as I have these symptoms all the time anyway, it just seems some symptoms like the fatigue, weakness, depression, irritable, are worse at the moment.

I have the methyl complex due to having MTHFR and Folate dose in my current complex is prnt.sc/5fKD4bvI4l8A and when I do take them of late I have been emptying out half the capsule as I wonder if some of the other B Vits in them may be too higher a dose for me which worsens my anxiety but which one I don't know.

Still about 4 weeks into a slight Levo reduction so currently no idea what's going on and won't know until my next test what my Folate level will be especially after being hit and miss with my B Complex.

I wonder whether I really need a complex or just a low dose B12 and Folate separately?

They also say that B Complex is required for proper thyroid function but I no longer have one as my body destroyed it a few years ago as discovered on an ultra sound so do I still need to take them or do they also help with conversion?

[Regenallotment]

This is similar for me, I have a B Complex some days and a separate B12 and folate others. I also inject B12 now and that’s helped a lot. Anxiety and other symptoms returned after 5 days on holiday recently when I only took the B Complex. The Healthleads 400ug methyl folate is the one that suits me.

I discovered I did better on separate B12 and folate when I took these in blood test weeks and stopped the B Complex because of the biotin. 🌱

[CernCrystal]

Not sure of your diet but I eat my folate - small amount of homemade chicken liver pate and take b12 sublingual drops. Works a treat for me.

[samaja]

I think the problem with your B12 and folate is that your B12 results would be completely unreliable with the supplementing you are doing and we do not really know whether you are actually absorbing any of it or not. What is your diet - are your vegan or vegeterian or a meat/fish eater? B12 and folate work in tandem and will influence each other too. There is an excellent FB group called Pernicious Anaemia/B12 Deficiency Support Group where there is a wealth of knowledge and support about B12, folate and their interactions with thyroid etc. Maybe worth joining?