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[Foxylady]

Blood results back today, have folic acid deficiency so prescribed FA 5mg daily for 3 months. No idea how I have ended up with it as my diet is rich in folate, also none of the medications I take appear to affect absorption of folic acid. Any ideas??

[Dorothy]

I know disorders like Crohns & Coeliacs can affect absorption of vitamins & minerals - what did your doc say?

[Taz2]

Did you have your B12 level checked too?

Taz x

[Foxylady]

Thanks for the replies ladies. I am unsure exactly what bloods I had checked, (I went with jaw/head pain & mentioned feeling miserable, continued insomnia) & I asked the surgery receptionist for a phone call to discuss the results as I am confused by it. The soonest someone would phone me is Monday so I have been researching it & spoke to the pharmacist when I put the prescription in, I'm none the wiser. My concern is that my dad has haemochromatosis & I have the 2 genetic variants although was told by a specialist when tested years ago I would be unlikely to ever have any symptoms however to have ferritin etc checked every few years. I am wary about it and curious as to the cause.
I have IBS Dorothy but it has been stable for a while since taking probiotics and losing weight, healthier eating. x

[Tc]

Foxy lady. I know you said your not on any meds which might affect it.but does that include ppis like omprazole. ?  It lowers my folic acid.

Xx

[jaycee]

Foxylady,i have Haemochromatosis, and i don't have any symptoms either,in fact i have asked if they have got it wrong,
The last time i saw my consultant,he couldn't even tell me what my numbers were and what variants i have
Have they not tested your ferritin? mine is never high, and my eldeast son, was told ny my hospital he has it and since he moved to Spain and was tested there told he hasn't got it
My other 2 sons,have it and suffer badly with it, digestion problems, arthritis etc

[Foxylady]

TC, I was on Omeprazole until approx 3yrs ago, on Ranitadine now as instructed by Endocrinology they thought maybe my (peri) symptoms were related to that!
Jaycee, I am hoping to speak to someone tomorrow re what bloods exactly they did (wasn't told on the day) as noone was seemingly free to speak to me on Friday & noone had contacted me from the surgery although the prescription was written for me on Thursday, it was down to me remembering to phone (I stuck posted note on my desk to remind me!!). I saw the genetics consultant when I was first tested who discussed the mutations I had & said highly unlikley to suffer any symptoms however every few years check ferritin. I have a letter with the diagnosis, can't remember of the top of my head. As far as I know (estranged) my siblings have never been tested, it is my dad who was diagnosed & has regular treatment (blood letting etc) for it. That is not good if there is confusion over whether someone has it or not. Despite being a nurse now for 20yrs, I had never heard of it until my dad was diagnosed and it is more common than cystic fibrosis which the majority of people will have heard of and is tested for at birth! x

[Tinkerbell]

My teen daughter was prescribed folic acid because of a defficency, i found it odd as she makes revolting green smoothies and is into healthy eating.

[Countrygirl]

I take folic acid and have to have b12 injections, the dr put it down to my ibs and malabsorption due to different stomach meds x

[jaycee]

Foxylady,sorry have not replied for some reason i have only just seen your post
I am fed up of having regular blood tests and then,i don't need a venesection, it is more well known now than it was once
I only need blood taking about twice a year,if that
I am quite healthy for my age 77,and not on any medication, never had flu or been in bed ill, but have a bit of arthritis in my knees,not enough to stop me doing anything
I am still convinced i don't have it, my twin sons have it fairly badly, both have arthritis and can't walk far without painful feet or legs, and neither can work now
I was told both parents need to have it for a child to get it, my mother i'm sure didn't,she lived to 96 with no ill health at all like me,
Never knew my real father so can't say about him
Foxylady how old are you you don't need to answer that, but if you are still having periods it wont show much,as of course you would be losing iron with blood loss
I hope you are feeling better in general

[KaraShannon]

I was told my Folic Acid was borderline low, they didn't prescribe FA as it was only borderline, but advised me to go and get some supplements.  The thing is I'm reluctant because on it's own it's not balanced with the other B vitamins, and if you take the whole B Vit complex, well I've read For's and Againsts for that healthwise. 

But I do have energy when I take B complex.  I'm mainly vegan but I do eat fish regularly.

Glad to be reminded of it in this thread because FA deficiency is not one to leave, it can (from what I've read) weaken the heart, not in the short term, I think if it's left for a long period of time.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies
Foxylady - I'm sorry that you are having this problem.  How are you now? Did you learn anymore from your doctors about your blood test?

KaraShannon -  I'm sure you already know that all vegans are advised to take Vitamin B12 although the fact that you eat fish may make this unnecessary.
 I understand that the most easily absorbed form of B12 is methylcobalamin and that is what I take. I  also read somewhere that B vitamins are less effective taken all together. Unfortunately I can't recall where I heard that so anyone concerned might want to do some research.

Take care ladies.

K.

[Foxylady]

Hi Kathleen, I am generally feeling like I have more life about me, more energy and 'get up & go' which I'm putting down to a combination of things probably folic acid and changed back to HRT patches from gel (not a fan). Rest of my bloods were all fine within normal range. Thanks for asking. x