High folate levels

[Catherine]

Has anyone found a upper range for RBCs folate levels?

Our labs give nmol/l >800 as normal but no upper limit.

Thanks

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Catherine,

Matt is using Douglass Hanly Moir pathology at present and they give the reference range for RBC Folate as 776 - 1784 nmol/l.

Dusty.

 

[Catherine]

What do you think of a level of 2749 nmol/l?

 

[DustyKat]

The first thing that would come to my mind is Pernicious Anaemia.

I have had your other post and noted that B12 is within normal limits although dropping. Perhaps it would be worth suggesting that MMA be tested so you can get a truer indication of her B12 status and so either rule in or out a B12 deficiency.

I am not as up on all the iron studies levels and what varying highs and lows as I should be but it certainly seem that some kind of anaemia is happening??

Dusty. xxx

 

[Catherine]

There is no anaemia, haemoglobin is good at 129g/l (110-160).

 

[DustyKat]

But what about the anaemia's that simmer away and don't affect the haemoglobin...like pernicious anaemia.

Dusty. xxx

 

[CrohnsChicago]

I agree with Dusty. Folate is a B-vitamin and gets put to work if there is enough B12 within your system. Folate doesn't get used in your body and typically builds up if you do not have enough B12 to help break it down.

If your B12 levels are in fact dropping it could be a cause for high folate. Also, a diet high folates can be a contributing factor.

With regards to iron anemia, have you also had your Ferritin levels checked? There are no clear links between iron deficiency and folate but it has also not been disproved since Iron, Folate and B12 are essential elements your body needs to properly function.

Ferritin. This protein helps store iron in your body, and a low level of ferritin usually indicates a low level of stored iron
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/iron-deficiency-anemia/DS00323/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

 

[Catherine]

Thanks crohnschicago

This result is for my 14 year old daughter with growth issues. Her ferritin level is 17. She also has low vitamin d.

 

[Catherine]

I have been researching the folate trap

http://www.dach-liga-homocystein.org/EN/Fachinfo/folsaeure/falle.htm

http://www.veganhealth.org/b12/coenz

 

[Catherine]

Haven't been able to find much on high folate levels.

Did find this interesting.

People who are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency should be particularly cautious of consuming too much folic acid from supplements and fortified foods. High intakes of folic acid supplements may mask or delay the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, putting individuals at risk of neurological damage. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 prevents the body from producing enough red blood cells, which prevents body cells from getting the oxygen they need. If vitamin B12 levels remain low for too long, the result can be potentially permanent brain and nerve cell damage.
Those at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency include people who follow a vegan diet (B12 is found in animal-based foods), adults older than 50 (who often don’t produce enough of the stomach enzyme needed to effectively absorb B12) and anyone with a digestive problem that impairs absorption of nutrients (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn’s). Consult your physician if you fall into one of these categories.

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrient_library/folatefolic_acid