B9/folate deficiency

[Shelby1990x]

Hi!

I've recently been tested deficient in folate. What causes this? Should I be worried its something underlying? B12 is fine. Has son 18 months ago

[Mrswalliams1]

I have the same. My folate was so low initially it caused anaemia and terrible heart palpatations. My folate has since dropped twice more but I recognise the signs so starts taking tablets again. GP gave no explanation and couldn't say why so I'll be interested to see if others reply with more info.

[76ocean]

Did you bf your son? That combined with gluten allergy caused mine.

[Shelby1990x]

No I only BF for the first 2 weeks! Id never heard of it before. I'm just digging into Google making myself worry!

[Newuser123123]

Pregnancy depletes it. Take the tablets and you'll be fine.

[Sunshinegirl82]

I'm the same, also with an 18 month old. My DS is still breastfeeding though so that's what I put it down to. Started on the tablets a few days ago.

Can I ask how it presented for other people? I've been feeling knackered and feeling out of breath really easily. I also sometimes get what feels like a pounding/racing heart. Is any of that familiar at all?

[Shelby1990x]

@Sunshinegirl82 I wish I knew what was causing mine I'd feel more relaxed!

I had similar symptoms to you I also had pins and needles. I'm tired constantly just now

[Nat6999]

What level is your B12? A lot of doctors in this country think that as long as your B12 is above 200 then it is OK, your levels can look ok on a blood test but you might not be absorbing it. You need Folate, Vitamin B Complex, Magnesiun & Potassium to absorb your B12, 5mg of Folic acid is the minimum you need to absorb B12, so if you are folate deficient, chances are you aren't absorbing B12. If you want to know more, look on the B12 pages on Facebook, they can also advise if you need to self inject, I have started today as my B12 levels were unreadable which has lead to me losing all feeling in my feet, legs & fingers.

[Saladd0dger]

Iv had folate anemia for over 4 years. Taking folic acid does nothing. I feel dead my eyes are black my bones hurt and I have pins and needles. Always breathless and falling asleep and my hairs falling out. Was fine till I gave birth. Doctors just fob me off and say ibs. I’m pretty sure I’m coeliac and lacking other vitamins. My nails grow with dents in. Does anybody else get that?

[Lillygolightly]

@Saladd0dger

I’m in the same boat as you, started having IBS symptoms 2.5 years ago after having my youngest. Blood test showed nothing, x rays showed nothing and colonoscopy ruled out anything sinister. Got told I had IBS and to just learn to manage it.

A few months back my periods started to become really heavy, with large clots. I’m am absolutely knackered all of time time, I constantly feel crap. Spoke to my GO who sent me for more bloods, a scan and a smear. Scan revealed nothing other than a bicornate uterus, which I have to say was news to me especially after 3 pregnancies. Bloods came back as folate deficienct so i have been prescribed 4 months worth of folic acid tablets. It’s been a week, no change, and I’m certainly not feeling any better.

I feel so god awful all the time, physically exhausted, it’s like wading through treacle. I’ve had so many tests now, all keeping coming up fine (minus the folate) and I’m starting to get very down and frustrated.

I’m sick of everything being so hard, I just want to be well!!!

Sorry....I’ve gone off on a bit of a rant there. Sorry OP, obviously you can see my symptoms from my post. I don’t know if any of those things ring true for you. I hope you feel better soon.

[ReannaLouiise]

this is exactly me now back in January I had low folate levels 3.3 took 5mg daily for 2 months it raised to 11.9 but my symptoms have worsened again and my doctors are useless I have pins n needles in my hands arms feet tired dizzy blurred vision achy hair loss pale dark eyes

[Saladd0dger]

Sorry you are feeling unwell. I joined the pernicious anemia group on Facebook and sourced my own b12 injections and follow all there advice. I still look like I’m on heroin as once I clear 1 deficiency up another comes to light. but the pins & needles have reduced so much and Iv noticed my hair growing back.