Folic acid and men. Might help a few.

[lillythesavage]

Does anyone take a Folic acid supplement? Or have any idea if they need to ?

By the way, Magnesium can slow Folic acid supplement effect, and should be taken at different times of the day.

After handing over a lot of blood, felt like it  , and having every test available on the NHS for recurring niggles, they found my Folic acid levels dangerously low.
A reading of 3.8 is minimum acceptable, 5+ is normal ideal, mine was 1.7. So the GP says.
The possible effects of this are easily found on google, it takes 3-6 months to build it up again, it completely threw the wife who is very into maintaining mineral/vitamin levels, not something she had come across mentioned in any of the things she reads up on.

Might be worth suggesting a test for it if you have any of the symptoms. Hope it may help someone 

Time will tell if it makes any difference.

Another test not mentioned to me before, was good Cholesterol, only usually tested for bad, this time that was slightly high, but balanced with higher good readings and of no concern.

[stevesucks69]

What symptoms

[radioman33]

What is meant by your comment handing over blood.?Its worth having all the tests this one if you’re fatigued and depressed as it explains on google.

[myothernameis]

What symptoms

Pregnancy       

[lillythesavage]

What is meant by your comment handing over blood.?Its worth having all the tests this one if you’re fatigued and depressed as it explains on google.

Yes it is, I have had several of the symptoms for some time, to the point of the GP suggesting gout. I was tested for all organ functions, inflammation  cholesterol, good and bad, and all the vitamins and minerals, plus rheumatoid arthritis and uric acid amongst others .

It is easier to google the effects and see if you have them, rather than listing mine, already suggested

They took lots of blood for all the tests 

[Markus]

I believe I have this issue but the doctor is unable to figure it out what it is.  I feel very fatigued and do not have cholesterol or diabetes.  I used to take a vitamin B injection which would give me a jolt but the last one did nothing and my folic acids seem fine.  I am taking a vitamin B supplement from Vitabiotics but it has zero results, I feel more fatigued and slightly depressed at times.  The Vitamin B supplement from Vitabiotics does contain folic acid.

Not sure what I should do.

[lillythesavage]

I believe I have this issue but the doctor is unable to figure it out what it is.  I feel very fatigued and do not have cholesterol or diabetes.  I used to take a vitamin B injection which would give me a jolt but the last one did nothing and my folic acids seem fine.  I am taking a vitamin B supplement from Vitabiotics but it has zero results, I feel more fatigued and slightly depressed at times.  The Vitamin B supplement from Vitabiotics does contain folic acid.

Not sure what I should do.

What you should do is quite simple, request the GP to do a range of blood tests including for Folic acid.


Pro biotics can also help greatly with brain function, the gut and brain are linked, this one is very good for me, and on special at the moment.
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I have been going for tests and scans for 3 years, found other things wrong  , and had treatment for them, but the underlying problem has never been resolved.

Finding my Folic acid levels are way too low, and reading the possible effects of this, I am hoping and thinking the GP has cracked it, only time will tell, but as all my other tests were with very good results, kinda happy there maybe some light on the subject.

The wife has me on a range of vitamins and minerals, studies the subject and that of diet too, but had never come across lack of Folic acid being a problem, she read up on it last night and was gobsmacked it had never come up before.

[Marmalade]

Unless you have a specific reason eg anaemia I can’t see many GPs rushing to give you tests for a vitamin on the NHS.

[Marmalade]

Pregnancy       

[lillythesavage]

Unless you have a specific reason eg anaemia I can’t see many GPs rushing to give you tests for a vitamin on the NHS.

They will not offer it, but you can get it, I just did. The cost to the NHS is little, blood sample places are empty and being worked and staffed regardless, and labs are being paid for and staffed regardless. Transfers between the two happens regardless of numbers.

It is your health and sometimes you need to be persistent, but if you do not tell the GP the symptoms you have it will not help. Sit back and accept problems and no one will push you, you need to be the pushy one.

[Marmalade]

Your last para is true Lily dear, but that doesn’t mean they will order unwarranted blood tests just cos you ask.

Pregnant women are the most likely candidates hence the humorous response.

[Markus]

What you should do is quite simple, request the GP to do a range of blood tests including for Folic acid.


Pro biotics can also help greatly with brain function, the gut and brain are linked, this one is very good for me, and on special at the moment.
External Link/Members Only

I have been going for tests and scans for 3 years, found other things wrong  , and had treatment for them, but the underlying problem has never been resolved.

Finding my Folic acid levels are way too low, and reading the possible effects of this, I am hoping and thinking the GP has cracked it, only time will tell, but as all my other tests were with very good results, kinda happy there maybe some light on the subject.

The wife has me on a range of vitamins and minerals, studies the subject and that of diet too, but had never come across lack of Folic acid being a problem, she read up on it last night and was gobsmacked it had never come up before.

Thank you, ordered the item you mentioned from Amazon. I will check the dosage but may stop the Vitabiotics as don’t want to pump myself up with too many vitamins.    Appreciate the post, it was helpful.

[Marmalade]

THought it might be an idea to post a link to the NHS page:
External Link/Members Only

Anyone who's serious about it might do well to speak to their doctor as it's one of those vitamins that a) can cause problems if you get too much and b) amounts stated on the dietary supplements can be misleading. While I understand it's important to get enough and correct any deficiency, it's also important not to get too much. I'll post a list of foods considered rich in folate if anyone's interested.

Although folate is an essential B vitamin with important functions, there are legitimate concerns about getting too much folic acid from supplements and fortified foods. For example, a high daily dose of folic acid from a supplement has been associated with a more than doubling of the risk of prostate cancer. High doses of folic acid from supplements can also complicate the diagnosis of vitamin B-12 deficiency and cause kidney damage.

In addition, high intake of folate (above 800 mcg daily) dramatically increases the risk of peripheral neuropathy (often causing tingling, pain, and/or reduced sensation in the feet) in elderly people who have a common genetic variant in the TCN2 gene — which is found in about one-quarter of older Americans.

One technique if you are buying and trying it yourself without a prescription is to tell your GP if you find a benefit after three months (which is long enough to correct a deficiency and from what I can see not long enough to cause likely harm). The GP might then be more inclined to test you (after a pause while you stop taking it).

It's the usual stuff -- read the forum but everyone's case is individual, so get medical advice from your GP if seriously concerned.

[lillythesavage]

Your last para is true Lily dear, but that doesn’t mean they will order unwarranted blood tests just cos you ask.

Pregnant women are the most likely candidates hence the humorous response.

You know nothing of how any GP will react when presented with symptoms and requests, not even your own if you have not tried.
It is that " no point asking " attitude that means many suffer and others find out too late, it stinks.

You have a habit of posting with condescending know it all attitude under the guise of " Humour", particularly on threads you have no interest in , and it is neither funny or well delivered, and there you go again with your backtracking factual know it all statements.

It gets very boring, your GP is the first port of call if you are under the weather and want to get things checked, not a know it all Scotsman on a punting forum.

Others can take from the post what they will, your know it all input is not needed 

[Marmalade]

I do know actually because I have indeed asked. My GP respects my requests as they’re generally researched but he drew the line at general tests for vitamin levels. You, on the other hand, have given no indication of the specific symptoms you presented with to justify that particular test.

This is how a well-meaning post could possibly be irresponsible. If you want to give your experience, try to give the relevant details in a responsible way. I’m pleased you were helped. But the limited information you gave is not generalisable. Even GP appointments are not so easily come by for many these days, so it’s quite understandable when someone just thinks I’ll buy some and see what happens. I’ve tried to post reference info showing that folate is in the group where overdosing can be harmful.

Routine wellness screening is specifically not a priority. You can find that specific guidance to clinicians on the NHS website (under optimising blood testing) and, for B12 and folate deficiency, on N.I.C.E. site by topic. That you were given that blood test will have been based on things like your specific symptoms, and things like your medical history, family history, diet and so on.

Of course, a particular GP may not always follow the guidelines so no harm in asking for that or any other test.

[Doc Holliday]

I do know actually because I have indeed asked. My GP respects my requests as they’re generally researched but he drew the line at general tests for vitamin levels. You, on the other hand, have given no indication of the specific symptoms you presented with to justify that particular test.

This is how a well-meaning post could possibly be irresponsible. If you want to give your experience, try to give the relevant details in a responsible way. I’m pleased you were helped. But the limited information you gave is not generalisable. Even GP appointments are not so easily come by for many these days, so it’s quite understandable when someone just thinks I’ll buy some and see what happens. I’ve tried to post reference info showing that folate is in the group where overdosing can be harmful.

Routine wellness screening is specifically not a priority. You can find that specific guidance to clinicians on the NHS website (under optimising blood testing) and, for B12 and folate deficiency, on N.I.C.E. site by topic. That you were given that blood test will have been based on things like your specific symptoms, and things like your medical history, family history, diet and so on.

Of course, a particular GP may not always follow the guidelines so no harm in asking for that or any other test.

Good post.

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[Doc Holliday]

What you should do is quite simple, request the GP to do a range of blood tests including for Folic acid.

Markus states he has had B12 injections which means he will already have had those tests including Serum Folate level. In fact he appears to say his Folate level is within normal range?

Threads like this are dangerous.

[lillythesavage]

Markus states he has had B12 injections which means he will already have had those tests including Serum Folate level. In fact he appears to say his Folate level is within normal range?

Threads like this are dangerous.

They are only dangerous if the armchair experts  , start dishing out advice and quoting shite from the web.

The Op post informs about something, I did not know about and it seems no one else did, and says get your GP to get you tested if you have undiagnosed symptoms that could be caused by it  . Which I had.

It was hijacked by those who think health is funny, cannot resist giving their view on every subject, usually negative, then start dishing out advice from the web, that is dangerous.

Only @Markus will know if he has been tested, I have had B12 tests several times over the last 3 years, but never Folate until last week  , it was a face to face and detailed description of recurring symptoms that lead to the full range of tests, but GP,s will never do that  , according to some who know every GP personally  .

The probiotics, which is the only thing I recommended to @Markus, along with being honest with his GP, and perhaps asking for tests, can do no harm to anyone, unless your are very unlucky and allergic to the contents.

[Markus]

I appreciate the advice and always look at any vitamins/supplements before I take them to ensure that there is no overlap between the two.  The Vitabiotics I am on already contain 100% NRV for folate so if this probiotic contains some of the same ingredients, I will stop it.

I will see a GP regardless.  My GP has unfortunately turned in to a very resistant person when it comes to blood checks and it’s not like I am in there every week.  Blimey the last time I visited him he asked to check my height because they didn’t have it on record and I had been there only a handful of times in the last decade.   I want a resolution to this matter but hopefully the probiotic will help.  Thanks for the post, it has been very helpful.

[Marmalade]

I think we can guess the symptoms that lily doesn't want to reveal. The 'shite from the web' that he/she refers to are the leading pharmaceutical authorities providing guidance, mentioned purely as they are the fomal advice given to guide GPs (NHS & NICE), plus a leading lab that provides summaries of evidence. I don't have strong feelings about it and sometimes disagree with their pronouncements, but they are official sources so that, if approaching your doctor, you know what you are likely up against. Markus, GPs do get 'resistant' at times. I find it helps to know what one is entitled to, what their leeway is, and what their default position might be, which is the info I was adding and which I felt could be helpful. Following on from that, if you've had the blood tests, you are entitled to a copy, so you can see what your levels are. If the last test was quite old (more than six to twelve months) and maybe you have a reason to suggest your levels have changed, then you can tell your doctor why you think they might have changed and would another test perhaps be appropriate. The test results are your right: the further test is at your doctor's dsiscretion, so you can insist on the former and politely request the other. Best of luck mate. Of course, just ignore this if you think it's 'shite'!

[Doc Holliday]

They are only dangerous if the armchair experts  , start dishing out advice and quoting shite from the web.
 

You do know what NICE is and its role? There is a certain irony that many healthcare professionals think some NICE decisions and protocols are shite too, but not for the reasons you think they are shite. None the less they are expected to follow their guidelines.

I have had B12 tests several times over the last 3 years, but never Folate until last week 
 

That surprises me. B12 and B9 are closely interlinked in their roles and as a result problems with their metabolism will produce similar symptoms They are often described as 'partners in crime' so it is fairly routine to test both levels at the same time. If you have had symptoms for years and had repeated B12 tests but not Folate that is odd? Bordering on negligent even?

Only @Markus will know if he has been tested,
 

That’s correct but as I said in my post he told us this.

I used to take a vitamin B injection which would give me a jolt but the last one did nothing and my folic acids seem fine.

So unless he and his medic have a crystal ball,then I assume he has been tested for both?

The reason your advice is potentially dangerous is that someone like Markus who has had B12 injections and which implies a deficiency, but has Folate levels are normal. If you then increase Folic acid intake when you don’t need it, then this can make the B12 deficiency and any associated symptoms worsen.

In fact any abnormalities in the tests including a full blood screen, are often quite difficult to interpret, even for an experienced haematologist and resultant further investigations and treatment can also be complex and certainly beyond the scope of myself or members of a punting forum.

On a personal note I hope you health issues are able to be fully diagnosed and treated. The Folate level you quote are indeed low (below 3) and require further investigation. No idea if you are a high alcohol consumer or not but that can also affect folate absorption. 

EDIT forgot to add that Folate level decreases with age and is considered normal. No idea how old you are but suspect you are no spring chicken? 

[Handel2020]

It's worth mentoning that one of the nutritionists on Youtube, Dr Berg, claims that Folic acid supplements are not actually Folate and block the receptors so that Folate can no longer be absorbed.

I'm no expert on nutrition but I have had bad fatigue in the hot weather, partly due to excessive sweating. I have had to take electrolyte supplements and increased salt intake. However, there may be other vitamin / mineral issues. Are you allowed to ask for these tests with an NHS GP or do you need to go private?