VITAMIN B CHECK

Folate

Also known as B9, Folate is found in leafy vegetables, legumes, eggs, fortified foods and fruit. It is low in meat except for liver.'

Folate is used to make DNA, RNA, white and red cells and it is involved in energy production.  It is needed for growth period such as during pregnancy, infancy and adolescence. Folate supplements have given to pregnant women in New Zealand to prevent neural tube defects in fetus. Low folate levels are linked to depression.

Signs of folate deficiency are:

- extreme tiredness

- lethargy

- breathlessness

- feeling faint

- head aches

- pale skin

Folate deficiency can results in megaloblastic anaemia. The red cells are large, oval shaped and few in number.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 (known as Cabolamin) is needed to make cells in your body including red blood cells, keep the nerve cells and central nervous system healthy and make DNA. 

Upto 8% of NZ population may be deficient in Vitamin B12.  Initial Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms involve having megablastic anaemia and include lethargy, dizziness, muscle weakness, paleness, shortness of breath and hearing difficulties. If Vitamin B12 deficiency continues, then it can damage your central nervous system.

Causes of B12 deficiency includes not eating enough sources of food that have Vitamin B12,  chronic alcohol consumption, certain disease such as coeliac disease, lack of intrinsic factor (a substance produced by your stomach to help with absorption of vitamin B12 from food), certain medications that prevent absorption of Vitamin B12, genetic conditions.

Sources of Vitamin B12 are meat, chicken, seafood eggs and dairy products. Fortified foods also may contain Vitamin B12. Marmite also contains Vitamin B12. Thus at risk groups are those practicing vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.

Folate and Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 and folate work together.

 A normal blood test may mean that you do not have Vitamin B12 deficiency. 

However, if the Vitamin B12 is normal or low normal, it may be that the body is still using the stored form. If that is the case, another blood test called methylmelonic acid test requested. 

Also note, at times, a low folate may mean that it is the Vitamin B12 that is low (scientists are still looking into how this relationship works). So by correcting the Vitamin B12 level, the body is able to release the stored folate to increase the level of folate.