Folate deficiency

[user2930293]

Hi just after some advice

I was diagnosed with low folate a month ago and have been on folic acid 5mg. I still get tired suddenly and then have headaches when I do. I don't feel so breathless and dizzy.

Just wondered how long it takes to start feeling better, some days I can feel fine but others I feel terrible.

Following with interest. I’m the same. Didn’t link the headaches I’ve been getting with it.

Have they looked into why you have low folate. They haven’t for me or my daughter.

Ive been on the tablets for months
The cracks on the corner of my mouth are better but I'm still tired and feel awful

@CornishTiger

No they haven't which annoys me because I would like to know what's causing it. Most common reasons are diet or alcohol, I don't drink so its not that.
All the GP said was that they would test my blood again after 3 months to see if the tablets have worked, don't know what happens after that if they have worked I guess it will be come off the tablets but then I worry that my folate levels will get low again and I will feel ill again.
It's horrible but at least the dizziness has gone at the moment.

Took about a month for me to feel better in terms of fatigue etc. Hope you feel better soon OP x

This is my 3rd time on them
I'm starting to believe I'm going to need them forever as mine drop again when not taking them

@wfrances I think I would rather be on them for life than be taken on and off and feel terrible in between. I've just had 2 weeks off work because I was so exhausted and now Im worried that when I come off them in 2 months I will be off sick again.

How low were your levels OP?

@goldenbag I was 2.5 and the range was >3

If you have the MTHFR mutation (which about 40% people do) then folic acid (the cheap synthetic form of folate) won’t help - you need methylfolate and folinic acid. I found out I had it after my Fertility clinic tested me for it. For those with MTHFR, folic acid is actually harmful - blicks the folate receptors - it gave me awful headaches that went as soon as I switched.

Conversely I read cheap folic acid prevents the uptake of foliate.

Cross post. This!

I'm on 3.2 OP and I'm wondering whether that's too low for me as I don't feel great...

Give it a bit longer, you will feel better. Blood tests showed I had a deficiency in B12 and folate since when I have been taking B12 and folic acid; there is a noticeable improvement.

I know this is a bit late, but how do you feel now?! Been tested and have a folate level of 1.5 and I feel horrible. Dizzy, cognitive impairment, faint, heart palpitations it's just horrific. I've been give a supplement but I feel so ill all the time!