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Understanding Your Low Folate Result
Key Information
- Your Results: Your recent blood test shows that your folate (Vitamin B9) level is low.
- Why It Matters: Folate is essential for making healthy red blood cells and maintaining your energy levels.
What is Folate (Vitamin B9)?
Folate plays a key role in producing healthy red blood cells.
- The “Delivery Service”: Your red blood cells carry oxygen around your body, supplying energy to your organs and tissues.
- The Problem: When folate is low, your body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to reduced oxygen delivery.
Common Symptoms
This reduced oxygen delivery may cause:
- Feeling tired or weak
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Problems with memory, understanding, or concentration
Note: Many people have no symptoms at all.
Our Plan to Fix It
This is a common condition and is usually straightforward to treat.
Part 1: Your Prescription
- The Treatment: You have been prescribed folic acid.
- Collection: This has been sent to your nominated pharmacy.
- Duration: Take the tablets daily for two months to restore your levels.
Part 2: Ongoing Maintenance
- The Switch: After completing your course, take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid to maintain your levels.
Part 3: Your Diet
- Long-term Health: Increase folate intake through your diet.
- What to Eat: Foods rich in folate include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and leafy green vegetables.
What Happens Next?
With treatment and dietary changes, your folate levels should return to normal.
If you have any questions about your results or treatment, please contact us.
Further Information
For more details on folate deficiency and dietary sources, please visit the NHS website.
Learn more about being low in folate
Last reviewed: 02 April 2026
Next review due: 02 April 2029
Providing NHS Services
Telephone: 01727 853107