Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Low folate levels, has anyone experienced this before?

14 replies

Bluespecs · 19/07/2025 20:23

What were your levels and your symptoms?

OP posts:
CapitanSandy · 19/07/2025 20:26

My level was 1.9. I felt generally tired and run down. Occasionally dizzy and my hair fell out a bit. 3 months of tablets sorted everything out

BumblingBanana · 19/07/2025 21:11

Slightly low and felt fucking awful. Absolutely awful. It did get better with a prescription from the GP quite quickly.

Bluespecs · 19/07/2025 22:23

I've been feeling out of sorts for years but that has ramped up over the last few years.

I suffer a myriad of unwanted symptoms including an exacerbation of my pre-existing IBS and functional dyspepsia, so tired and lethargic all the time, hair thinning with very thin patches, tinnitus has gone mad, aching joints and muscles, sore tongue, heightened anxiety and depression etc.

I have no idea if low folate is to blame but I've been having full bloods done at the GP surgery for the last few years and all comes back as within normal ranges but I've noticed my serum folate has been falling over the last 3 years, however there are no ranges given so GP signs it off as normal yet Google tells me 3.3 is low.

Is it? I don't quite know what to do? Do I go back to the GP and challenge this?

Low folate levels, has anyone experienced this before?
OP posts:
Blodtheplod · 19/07/2025 22:35

This was perimenopause for me. Fluctuating oestrogen played havoc with my bowels, I was either full of energy or completely exhausted. My hair thinned, tinnitus was awful, very achy and stiff and I had frequent headaches and episodes of TMJ.

Om83 · 19/07/2025 23:18

I’d prob say your digestive absorption issues are most likely why it’s low- so that would be the cause, not a symptom of deficiency- esp if you’ve had a flare in these recently causing it to drop from your previous test dates.

Folate is needed for so many important functions and could def be linked to your other symptoms so worth doing something to stop it getting to the point of deficiency and see if your symptoms get better.

for deficiency to be flagged by your GP/lab, it would usually need to be below 3ug/L depending where you are in the country, (although optimally some would argue should be higher and certainly should be if planning any pregnancies) if deficient there would likely be other indications of abnormal b12 and red blood count also, so not something your GP would automatically address just on this result alone.

given your symptoms you could ask for further testing on NHS but not likely to get it as the symptoms are slightly non-descript and could apply to a lot of things (although sore tongue - glossitis?? Slightly more specific) when clinically you are only borderline. Further investigations could include things like homocysteine (a protein that would be high in true deficiency) red cell folate (how much is actually in your blood cells rather than just carried in serum) active holotranscobalamin (a form of b12) and assume they have already carried out full blood count? Otherwise you can pay privately for these things if you want to know/rule out it further for your own peace of mind.

And /or suggest you talk to your dr about wanting to supplement- esp given your digestive issues and likely malabsorption would be a good idea, and if agreed then look for a methyl vitamin B complex to buy (methyl forms are easier for the body to utilise) and see if your symptoms ease up in a few weeks/months. Your dr can prescribe high dose of folic acid but you really need to make sure you stock up on all your b’s as there can be a knock on effect on these.

WeAllHaveWings · 19/07/2025 23:25

There is a B12 awake Facebook group where people regularly post their full blood test results for advice, might be worth doing, lots of knowledgeable people there. Low folate can mask a b12 deficiency which some of your symptoms could be related to.

Sensitive content
Low folate levels, has anyone experienced this before?
Bluespecs · 20/07/2025 10:31

Blodtheplod · 19/07/2025 22:35

This was perimenopause for me. Fluctuating oestrogen played havoc with my bowels, I was either full of energy or completely exhausted. My hair thinned, tinnitus was awful, very achy and stiff and I had frequent headaches and episodes of TMJ.

I'm 52 and neck deep in perimenopause so that's definitely not helping, I think it's the fuel on an already burning fire but I so seem to have had folate issues for quite a number of years, even before peri hit.

OP posts:
Bluespecs · 20/07/2025 10:33

Om83 · 19/07/2025 23:18

I’d prob say your digestive absorption issues are most likely why it’s low- so that would be the cause, not a symptom of deficiency- esp if you’ve had a flare in these recently causing it to drop from your previous test dates.

Folate is needed for so many important functions and could def be linked to your other symptoms so worth doing something to stop it getting to the point of deficiency and see if your symptoms get better.

for deficiency to be flagged by your GP/lab, it would usually need to be below 3ug/L depending where you are in the country, (although optimally some would argue should be higher and certainly should be if planning any pregnancies) if deficient there would likely be other indications of abnormal b12 and red blood count also, so not something your GP would automatically address just on this result alone.

given your symptoms you could ask for further testing on NHS but not likely to get it as the symptoms are slightly non-descript and could apply to a lot of things (although sore tongue - glossitis?? Slightly more specific) when clinically you are only borderline. Further investigations could include things like homocysteine (a protein that would be high in true deficiency) red cell folate (how much is actually in your blood cells rather than just carried in serum) active holotranscobalamin (a form of b12) and assume they have already carried out full blood count? Otherwise you can pay privately for these things if you want to know/rule out it further for your own peace of mind.

And /or suggest you talk to your dr about wanting to supplement- esp given your digestive issues and likely malabsorption would be a good idea, and if agreed then look for a methyl vitamin B complex to buy (methyl forms are easier for the body to utilise) and see if your symptoms ease up in a few weeks/months. Your dr can prescribe high dose of folic acid but you really need to make sure you stock up on all your b’s as there can be a knock on effect on these.

Edited

Thank you, that's really helpful.

OP posts:
Bluespecs · 20/07/2025 10:35

WeAllHaveWings · 19/07/2025 23:25

There is a B12 awake Facebook group where people regularly post their full blood test results for advice, might be worth doing, lots of knowledgeable people there. Low folate can mask a b12 deficiency which some of your symptoms could be related to.

I am on that group and did post my results a few days ago but I only received one reply saying it's low and that was that! I have posted in the past but didn't get any replies then either.

OP posts:
Blarn · 20/07/2025 10:39

Yes, I'm about 8 weeks into folic acid tablets and feel so much better. The indigestion, odd vision things I kept getting, tiredness, lack of energy, palpitations and noticeable forgetfulness have all improved. Just having a look over the symptoms and realise I also used to get a lot of pins and needles in my hands for no reason and this has stopped too!

I had a blood test, found out B vitamins and vitamin D was low and then read the symptoms and everything made sense! Can't remember what my levels were but had a six week course of one vit D a week, now taking a lower dose daily, and I have a four month prescription for daily folic acid. When I have finished this I will be taking a combined B tablet daily in the hope they never drop again.

MyCalmRoseHelper · 20/07/2025 10:43

I’ve just been on folic acid for low folate. According to my NHS app below 4.1 is considered low. Mine has been low for years and like you I had been told it was ok and given a diet sheet! This time my preferred Dr looked at the results and put me on folic acid for 3 months. Repeat bloods now have my folate above 4.1. Mine was combined with low iron so don’t know which the symptoms were a result of but extreme tiredness was main symptom. Is there a different Dr at your surgery you can talk to?

Blarn · 20/07/2025 11:18

Just checked, my folate was 2.6.

Rosecoffeecup · 20/07/2025 16:49

Mine was 2.8, was prescribed 3 months of 5mg and that sorted it out

Main symptoms for me were fatigue and dizziness

Bluespecs · 20/07/2025 22:10

Thanks everyone, I'll try supplements to start and see if they help.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page