Table of Contents
Is B12 deficiency more common than folate deficiency?
Both vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency are more common in older people, affecting around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over, and 1 in 20 people aged 65 to 74.
Which do you replace first B12 or folate?
Vitamin B12 supplements are usually given by injection at first. Then, depending on whether your B12 deficiency is related to your diet, you’ll either require B12 tablets between meals or regular injections. These treatments may be needed for the rest of your life. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels.
Why do you correct B12 before folate?
Before you start taking folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to make sure they’re normal. This is because folic acid treatment can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that it masks an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency.
Why is B12 deficiency bad?
Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.
Is folic acid deficiency serious?
Folate-deficiency anemia during pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn’t develop normally. It can cause death before or soon after birth. Or it may cause paralysis of the legs.
What are symptoms of low folate?
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- lack of energy (lethargy)
- breathlessness.
- feeling faint.
- headaches.
- pale skin.
- noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
What are the long term effects of B12 deficiency?
Untreated B12 deficiency will eventually lead to anemia and neurologic complications such as unsteady gait and paralysis. Low levels of the vitamin have been found to be associated with depression and dementia, increased confusion, lethargy and even osteoporosis.
What happens if folate deficiency is left untreated?
Folate deficiency will not go away on its own. Treatment is required and may involve dietary changes and/or oral supplements and treatment of underlying causes, if any are present. If left untreated, folate deficiency may result in folate deficiency anemia, which can cause severe complications.
Is folate the SAMe as B12?
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is found in foods from animals, such as red meat, fish, poultry, milk, yogurt, and eggs. Folate (Vitamin B9) refers to a natural occurring form of the vitamin, whereas folic acid refers to the supplement added to foods and drinks.
What to do if your B12 is too high?
For people with high levels of B-12, treatment involves adjusting your diet. This may mean eating less animal products like meats, dairy, and seafood. If you’re diagnosed with a B-12 deficiency, the goal of treatment is to increase your level of vitamin B-12.
What foods are good for B12 deficiency?
In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, yeast extract (such as Marmite) and specially fortified foods. The best sources of folate include green vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and peas.
What is the relationship between vitamin B12 and folate?
Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 play key roles in converting homocysteine into methionine, one of the 20 or so building blocks from which the body builds new proteins. Without enough folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, this conversion process becomes inefficient and homocysteine levels increase.
Are folate and vitamin B12 the same thing?
Because folate is stored in tissue in smaller quantities than B12, folate must be consumed more regularly than B12. Both B12 and folate deficiencies may be seen in people who have conditions that interfere with absorption of the vitamins in the small intestine. Vitamin B12 absorption occurs in a series of steps.