Your blood test results have shown that your level of one of the B vitamins—folic acid—is low. Ideally, folic acid levels should be between 2.99 and 26.8 µg/L.
Folic acid is necessary for forming red blood cells and low levels can be a cause of anaemia. Rarely, low levels can cause some changes in sensation in your hands and feet.
Although folic acid is present in many foods, it can be destroyed by cooking. Good dietary sources include:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Chickpeas
- Brown rice
Other useful sources include fortified breakfast cereals, beans, certain breads, oranges, and bananas.
What You Should Do:
- Improve your diet: Increase the amount of folic acid-rich foods you eat. Click here for more information on foods high in folic acid: bda.uk.com/resource/folic-acid.html
- Take a supplement: You should take 5 mg of oral folic acid once a day for four months. This should be prescribed by your GP.
- Follow up: Please contact your GP to arrange a repeat blood test at the end of your treatment.