Vitamin B12 and folate

Hello @zombieware, on recent blood tests, your Vitamin B-12 and folate results were out of the normal ranges set by the parameters of the tests. It’s understandable that you’re concerned that these numbers are flagged with an H or L. By themselves they don’t always give the entire picture of your health but together they may be an indication of a type of anemia. Your other red blood numbers such as hematocrit and hemoglobin would give your doctor valuable information as well.

I’m posting a few links for informational articles for you to read that might be helpful.

~~~
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22831-vitamin-b12-deficiency
~~
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia
~~
Do you have any symptoms such as fatigue, that prompted the blood work?

I recently commented on how I’ve always been tired (long before my cancer) I discovered I had an anemia called Thallasemia among Mediterranean cultures I being Italian researched this and was found to have trait. I can’t absorb Fe( Iron) it just build up in my system which can be toxic so I avoid iron pills or injections Eating foods rich in Fe are safe and help somewhat, my body must adjusts it’s my norm. Just an fyi that many may not know about. 👍

Im on both also along with Iron and its all due to low numbers except Iron for some reason I can't absorb it as well as others. My Hematologist keeps an eye on it. But I will admit maybe due to age or just like @rosy54 said maybe there is something to the absorption. I do eat a lot of iron rich foods mostly spinach, i love in salads. But i find a nice nap in the afternoon helps a lot also.

@rosy54 I may ask about what you said as my iron levels were ok but my absorption was only 17% and my hematologists put me on Iron Pills. Im 9 % Italian from Sardina but mostly British based on a dna test. Which explains my love of Mediterranean food. Interesting find.

I appreciate the input- Here is the complete test with personal info removed

My serum Fe levels were within normal (on low end) My TIBC levels were high suggesting my iron was being bound (not released) into my bloodstream.
Further testing found I had Thallasemia anemia

My experience as a Med Tech, led me to suspect Thallesemia anemia. (Being of Italian accent) I shared my lab results my doctor. I did have Thallesemia I have avoid Fe supplements) and blood transfusions for my anemia as needed.

Only your doctor can interpret medical results and can guide your treatments. I’m not a medical professional but have personal experience in this area so I’m only basing my comments on what I know, to help provide you with information.

Your blood work all looks good except for the hematocrit and hemoglobin, which are on the upper range of normal. The other relevant number is MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin). That level is a tick above normal too. MCH measures the health of blood cells. Higher than normal levels of MCH may indicate that you have anemia due to low folate or B-12 levels which correlate with the numbers you posted for Folate and B-12 earlier.

I posted these links in a previous reply but here are symptoms for Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025
~~~~
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17732-vitamin-deficiency-anemia
~~~
Are you having any of these symptoms? If you are, then you may want to ask your doctor to run further tests.

Thanks I am going to look into that also.

B-12 and FOLATE EASY SOLUTIONS:

Regarding a solution for low folate when just taking folic acid does not work: what works for me is taking OTC “Nature’s Truth” L-Methyl Folate 7.5mg.
A single gel capsule daily brings me to the middle of the normal range. It was difficult to find, but Rite-Aid carries it. Be sure to get one with the complete name, letter L- included.

Trader Joe’s Vitamin B-12, 1000mcg taken sublingually is so potent that one tiny pill weekly is all I need.

Now both my B-12 and Folate are testing in the middle of the normal range. Hope this helps!

My oncologist ordered weekly B12 injections for a month several months ago due to a deficiency he saw in my lab results. I recently started on methotrexate and rheumatologist directed me to take folic acid daily as the drug is known to cause deficiencies in it.