Tired All the Time? B12, Folate and Iron Explained
Fatigue is one of the most common reasons people book a blood test – and one of the most fixable. When tiredness lingers despite decent sleep, the cause is often something simple happening in your blood. Three of the usual suspects are vitamin B12, folate and iron, and all three are easy to check in Plymouth at Tamar Health.
Why these three matter
Iron carries oxygen around your body. Low iron – even before full anaemia – leaves you breathless, foggy and drained, and it’s especially common in women with heavier periods and in people who don’t eat much red meat.
Vitamin B12 keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy. Low levels can cause tiredness, pins and needles, poor concentration and low mood. Vegetarians, vegans and older adults are more likely to run low.
Folate (vitamin B9) works hand in hand with B12 to make healthy red blood cells. A shortfall causes a similar picture of fatigue and low energy.
Because their symptoms overlap so much, checking all three together gives you a far clearer answer than testing one in isolation.
Signs worth checking
Persistent tiredness, breathlessness on stairs, pale skin, brittle nails, hair shedding, brain fog, low mood, or tingling in the hands and feet can all point to one of these deficiencies. They’re common, they’re treatable, and knowing your levels is the first step.
Don’t guess – test. Taking supplements blindly can mask a problem or waste money. A simple blood test tells you exactly what (if anything) is low, so any changes you make are targeted.
Getting tested at Tamar Health
You can request B12, folate and iron studies on their own, or as part of our Tired All The Time (TATT) panel, which looks more widely at thyroid, inflammation and other common causes of fatigue. Prices start from £90 all-inclusive, with results back the next working day in most cases.
Book online with a £25 deposit; all appointments are booked in advance. A blood test provides information to guide you – it isn’t a diagnosis on its own, but it’s the best place to start.
See our full blood test price list
Book Your Fatigue Blood Test
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