Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body.
Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. There are fewer of these cells. They are also oval-shaped, not round. Some babies are born unable to absorb folic acid. This can lead to megaloblastic anemia.
They also have a different shape. Early treatment is needed to prevent problems such as poor reasoning and learning. The symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia may look like other blood conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider may think you have this type of anemia after taking your medical history and doing a physical exam. You may have several blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. You may also have a barium study if a digestive problem is the cause. You may need to take folic acid supplements for at least 2 to 3 months. These may be pills or shots injections.
Folic acid helps this happen normally. Low folate levels at this important time can increase the risk of neural tube defects and possibly other problems in the baby. It's recommended that all pregnant women, and those trying for a baby, take a folic acid supplement until they're 12 weeks pregnant.
Sometimes taking methotrexate leads to folate deficiency because it causes your body to get rid of more folate than normal. But if you're taking it for folate deficiency anaemia, it may be a few weeks before you start to feel better. If you're taking it because you're pregnant, you probably will not feel any different, but that does not mean it's not working. In pregnancy - women are recommended to take folic acid while they're trying for a baby and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
For folate deficiency anaemia - treatment is usually for 4 months. But if the cause of your folate deficiency anaemia does not change or go away, you may have to take folic acid for longer, possibly for the rest of your life. To reduce the side effects of methotrexate - folic acid is usually taken for as long as you take methotrexate.
You may have to take it for a long time, possibly for the rest of your life. Folate is found naturally in foods and some foods are fortified with folic acid, which means the vitamin is added to it. A baby's neural tube starts developing in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy before the first missed period.
In the UK and Ireland in the s, before women were advised to a take folic acid supplements, about 1 in pregnancies resulted in a baby with a neural tube defect. If you're taking folic acid with methotrexate, talk to your doctor before taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol with folic acid as alcohol may stop folic acid being absorbed. It's safer not to drink any alcohol if you're pregnant or trying for a baby because it can damage your baby's growth.
Folic acid does not help you get pregnant, but it's recommended while you're trying for a baby and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 27 March Next review due: 27 March Folic acid On this page About folic acid Key facts Who can and can't take folic acid How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About folic acid Folic acid is the man-made version of the vitamin folate also known as vitamin B9. Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is found in certain foods. Folic acid is used to: treat or prevent folate deficiency anaemia help your unborn baby's brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly to avoid development problems called neural tube defects such as spina bifida help reduce side effects from methotrexate, a medicine used to treat severe arthritis , Crohn's disease or psoriasis Folic acid is available on prescription and comes as tablets or as a liquid you swallow.
You can also buy lower dose tablets from pharmacies and supermarkets. Folic acid can also be combined with: ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulphate to treat iron deficiency anaemia other vitamins and minerals as a multivitamin and mineral supplement. You usually take folic acid once a day, but sometimes you only need to take it once a week. Most adults and children can take folic acid. If you're pregnant or trying for a baby, it's recommended you take folic acid until you're 12 weeks pregnant.
It helps your baby grow normally. You're unlikely to get side effects with folic acid, but some people feel sick, lose their appetite, get wind or feel bloated. These side effects are usually mild and do not last long. Folic acid is also called by the brand names Preconceive and Lexpex. It's not suitable for everyone. How much will I take? How much you take depends on why you need folic acid.
Before and during early pregnancy The usual dose for most women trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is micrograms, taken once a day. Folate deficiency anaemia To treat anaemia, the usual dose for adults and children over 1 year old is 5mg, taken once a day, for 4 months. Sometimes the dose may be increased to 15mg a day.
This depends on your age, diet and any other health conditions you may have. If you're taking methotrexate The usual dose for adults and children is 5mg once a week, on a different day of the week to your methotrexate.
Some people take 1mg to 5mg once a day, apart from the day when they have their methotrexate. How to take it You can take folic acid with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink. Will my dose go up or down? Usually your dose will stay the same. What if I forget to take it? If you stop taking your folic acid: in pregnancy - the risk of your baby having neural tube defects may increase for folate deficiency anaemia - your symptoms may get worse or new symptoms may appear to reduce the side effects of methotrexate - you'll be more likely to get side effects from methotrexate If you forget to take folic acid: once a day - take your missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take your next dose as normal. If you remember on the day you take your methotrexate, wait a day and take your missed dose the following day. A folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to birth defects. Most people get enough folate from food.
Many foods now have additional folate in the form of folic acid, a synthetic version of folate, to prevent deficiency. Nevertheless, supplements are recommended for women who may become pregnant. Folate is a water-soluble vitamin. A diet low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals is the main cause of folate deficiency. In addition, overcooking your food can sometimes destroy the vitamins. Diseases that affect absorption in the gastrointestinal tract can cause folate deficiencies. Such diseases include:.
Some people have a genetic mutation that hinders their body from properly and efficiently converting dietary or supplemental folate to its usable form, methylfolate. Alcohol interferes with folate absorption. It also increases folate excretion through the urine. Folate deficiency is diagnosed with a blood test. Doctors will often test the folate levels of pregnant women during their prenatal checkups.
At-home testing kits are also available. You can purchase a test kit online from LetsGetChecked here. Treatment involves increasing the dietary intake of folate. You can also take a folate or folic acid supplement. Those with a genetic mutation that affects folate absorption, known as MTHFR , need to take methylated folate in order to avoid deficiency.
Folate is frequently combined with other B vitamins in supplements. These are sometimes called vitamin B complexes. Pregnant women should completely avoid alcohol, and everyone else with a folate deficiency should decrease their alcohol intake.
Buy vitamin B complex supplements. Eat a nutritious diet to prevent folate deficiency. Foods that contain high amounts of folate include:.
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