As posted earlier re folate.

[Calceolaria]

This is print out from my GP practice.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You correctly stopped vitamin B complex 5-7 days before test (as biotin in B complex can falsely affect lots of test results), instead taking separate folate supplement

what’s your result

Obviously when taking folate supplements your folate result should be improved

[Calceolaria in reply to SlowDragon]

I haven’t drawn bloods yet. It will be 7 days on Monday since ceasing B Complex. But I have taken folate and B12 to date. But photo above shows example of a caution regarding folate as well as biotin. I came on here to check.

[Star13]

your GP wasn’t very helpful sending that link! Could have just explained it to you better!

[helvella Administrator]

As I read that (adding what is in my head), folate can mask B12 deficiency, yes.

But if you are taking B12, then that itself will be giving a misleading impression of B12 status.

And folate doesn't interfere with the test in the lab.

If you are B12 deficient, then one of the signs is over-sized red blood cells - macrocytosis. Taking folate can appear to correct this specific sign, but does not address all the other things lack of B12 can cause. Hence you can actually get worse if you take folate without addressing the B12 issues.

But it does NOT mean that folate will interfere with the B12 test.

The bit that made it especially unclear is that having been started on folate and B12 would already be resolving any macrocytosis. (Assuming you are absorbing the B12.) And you don't see macrocytosis develop in a few days.

[Calceolaria in reply to helvella]

Thank you.