High Folate and Vit B12

[Reena]

I did routine blood work and my vit B12 came back high. It is 907 (lab range 138-652). Since i am MTHFR heterozygote requested to check my Homocysteine again and i'm low 4.8 (5.1-15.4). In 2014 my Homocysteine was 6. My RBC Folate is high too >2500 (lab range >1186). My family Dr is not concerned and told it may be high because of my vit supplements. My prenatal has vit B12 (as natural methylcobalamin) 4.8 mcg and Folate 5-MTHF 800 mcg. Taking extra Folate 5-MTHF 1 mg too.

I read too high Folate and B12 is also not good. So planning to stop extra folate for a while. What do you think Atomic? Should i stop the extra Folate? And i didn't find any information on how to raise homocysteine levels. Do you know anything about low homocysteine? Please help.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes I'd have you absolutely stop taking them. The homocysteine should recover when you're not taking them any more.

[Reena]

Thank you. I'll stop extra folate. But how will i reduce my vit B12? Should i stop taking my prenatal too? Currently taking 3 capsules of prenatal daily. Is it good to stop while trying to conceive?

[atomic sagebrush]

You're going to have to find a prenatal that doesn't have them (I know of only one, and I don't like it because it has herbs in it, but there may be other ones on the market) or take the nutrients separately. I'd just take the nutrients separately unless you can find one that doesn't have those things in it.

[Reena]

Currently i am taking Vit d -2000 (i'm deficient), DHA -415, Coq10 -200.
Which vitamins do you recommend to get separately? Is it Zinc 8-15 mg, Potassium (50 or 100), Iron?
Once pregnant should i take my old prenatal with Folate and B12?

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: with the Vit. D, DHA, Coq10

Zinc 8-15 mg, Iron 18-60 mg, Vit C 500, iodine 150 IU unless you have thyroid problems

No potassium, you don't need it.

Calcium/magnesium unless you're avoiding them for your sway (400 cal, 200 mag is plenty)

I would not have you take any Vit. A but you should have one glass of tomato juice or V8 every day.

No you MUST NOT take the vitamin when you're pregnant. Unnaturally high folate and B12 may contribute to autism.

Also, no brewer's yeast or things of that nature, they have b12 and folate in them

[Reena]

Thank you Atomic for explaining everything. I have hypothyroid and my prenatal which i was taking has Iodine 150mcg.

I read B12 is stored in substantial amounts, mainly in the liver, until it is needed by the body for 3 to 5 years. And your body doesn’t store vitamin B9 so you can become deficient in a matter of weeks.

Should i retest B12 and Folate once pregnant or in between? I don't know whether Dr will consider it. Planning ttc next month. Now i am kind of scared.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would def. request followup testing but I would NOT take any addiitonal B9 (folic acid or folate) until you know you need it.

You will be getting some folate via diet anyway.

[Reena]

Ok. Thank you Atomic!

[polaris.kai]

:agree: with the Vit. D, DHA, Coq10

Zinc 8-15 mg, Iron 18-60 mg, Vit C 500, iodine 150 IU unless you have thyroid problems

No potassium, you don't need it.

Calcium/magnesium unless you're avoiding them for your sway (400 cal, 200 mag is plenty)

I would not have you take any Vit. A but you should have one glass of tomato juice or V8 every day.

No you MUST NOT take the vitamin when you're pregnant. Unnaturally high folate and B12 may contribute to autism.

Also, no brewer's yeast or things of that nature, they have b12 and folate in themSo I am taking the pink stork folate on top of a daily prenatal because my DD has an optic nerve abnormality they said was caused by low folic acid during very early development in utero. Should I stop taking folate and switch to folic acid? Or is that not enough to tip the scale

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[Reena]

So I am taking the pink stork folate on top of a daily prenatal because my DD has an optic nerve abnormality they said was caused by low folic acid during very early development in utero. Should I stop taking folate and switch to folic acid? Or is that not enough to tip the scale

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Always folate is better than folic acid, the synthetic version.

[atomic sagebrush]

So I am taking the pink stork folate on top of a daily prenatal because my DD has an optic nerve abnormality they said was caused by low folic acid during very early development in utero. Should I stop taking folate and switch to folic acid? Or is that not enough to tip the scale

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AAA NO please take folate, it's WWAYYYYY better than folic acid if you can afford it.

[Reena]

I would def. request followup testing but I would NOT take any addiitonal B9 (folic acid or folate) until you know you need it.

You will be getting some folate via diet anyway.

Hi Atomic! I did a follow up testing after stopping all folate and B12 vitamins for 3 months. My B12 has decreased from 907 to 792, still high (lab range 138-652). But my RBC Folate is the same >2500 (lab range >1186, Deficient: <1187).
I already stopped taking fortified foods like bread and cereals 3 months ago along with supplements. How do i decrease folate levels?

[atomic sagebrush]

You just have to stay the course and keep avoiding the fortification.

Did they test you after fasting?? Some info indicates your levels may temporarily rise after eating and by testing after fasting you may get a more correct vision of what your folate levels really are.

[atomic sagebrush]

Also, have they run tests to rule out the rare problems that can cause this to happen?? That seems warranted.

[Reena]

Both the times i was not fasting for the test.

No other tests has been done. My physician is not at all concerned with these high levels. She says it may be due to my supplements. She even advised me to continue taking all supplements, when my results were high in the first time.
And was not willing to retest it. I had to keep on requesting and finally agreed.

[Reena]

Also, have they run tests to rule out the rare problems that can cause this to happen?? That seems warranted.

No. Which tests are those? Unless i request my Dr wont do any test.

Also just wanted to know whether Corticosteroid for oral inhalation sways blue or pink?

[atomic sagebrush]

I am not a doctor and can't advise you on what tests, I just know that there are a few different health conditions that can cause the folate levels to be higher than normal and if you're not taking the supps any more and the levels are still high then you should probably have a few things checked out.

There is mixed evidence about how corticosteroids might sway. Evidence points that they could sway pink OR blue. We just honestly don't have enough information to know for sure.