High Folate Serum Blood Reading = B12 deficiency/functional B12 deficiency

by Karen Robertson
(Scotland, UK)

My 18 year old son was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital in June this year following 18 years of ill health. Diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome at nine years. He has always been a very poor eater, eating no meat. We came away with answers. He was copper deficien which is unusual with a copper reading of 8.03umol/Ul (ref range 11-22) but I've managed to get his copper levels ups over the past four months. No change in sympt-oms. He has cracks in the corners of his mouth, mouth ulcers, just moons on 2 finger nails, numbness in fingers, fatigue, he had depression and is always ill with infections. His high folate reading of 686ug/L(ref range 119-519)makes me wonder if this is due to a B12 deficiency. A life time 0f a poor diet and possible methylation cycle block makes me question he has a B12 deficiency.

I hope you can guide me here with this high folate reading. I am giving my son 2x5000mg Methylcobalamin a day, started yesterday. I don't know how long it will take to raise his depleted B12 stores?? Do you know anything about high folate in relation to low B12?
It's been a long 18 years for my son. Heartbreaking - only 5% schooling and dreadful suicidal depression. He is an inspiration to me.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards

Karen Robertson