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Patient–Doctor Checklists: Spotting B12/Folate/Iron Deficiencies.

I’ve put together this super simple checklist of questions to ask your doctor if you are concerned about B12, folate or iron deficiency. It’s designed to help patients feel more confident when discussing blood results, and to make sure common, treatable deficiencies aren’t missed.

These questions are built around one key idea: trends in certain Full Blood Count (FBC) parameters can often highlight developing deficiencies long before symptoms or anaemia appear.

Disclaimer: This is not clinical advice. This article is for education and pattern recognition only. Your results must always be interpreted in the full clinical context by your healthcare team. If you feel unwell, seek medical advice.

5 quick questions to ask your doctor

  • Has my haemoglobin been trending down?
    A falling haemoglobin can signal early anaemia.
  • Has my MCV been increasing?
    This can suggest early vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
  • Has my MCV been falling?
    This can suggest iron deficiency developing over time.
  • Have my B12 and folate levels been checked recently?
    These deficiencies are common in IBD and easy to miss.
  • Have my iron studies been checked recently (especially ferritin)?
    Iron stores can fall long before haemoglobin becomes low.
Why I created this checklist:

I was inspired to create these checklists for IBD patients after my mum’s cancer diagnosis. I saw first-hand how overwhelming it can be trying to understand blood results during an already stressful time. Yet I also saw how empowering it can be when you know which questions to ask. My hope is that, in the same way I used to help my mum prepare for appointments, this checklist can help you feel more informed, confident, and in control of your own health.

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