Question 1

what is folate-deficiency anemia?

Accepted Answer

Megaloblastic anemia: Folate (folic acid) is a "building block" for red blood cells. Without it, the red cells comes out big, blown up and not made efficiently. Fortunately, folate (folic acid) is plentiful in fresh fruits and vegetable.

Question 2

found out unknown cause folate deficiency-rx 5mg folic acid tabs,how long before replenished? when to retest? causes ?vit d  borderline deficient too

Accepted Answer

Folate (folic acid) deficiency : Folate (folic acid) deficiency can be caused by nutritional deficiency, medications, chronic diseases or frequent use of tanning beds.  5mg of folate (folic acid) is often used to treat deficiency.  Usually 4 months of treatment is needed, then dose can be reduced. Levels may be rechecked after 2 a 4 months.

Question 3

do i have folate deficiency? i don't take mvi (multivitamin) or eat enriched bread

Accepted Answer

Need more diet nfo: While enriched bread has Folic Acid added, the best natural sources of folate (folic acid) are lentils, beans, dark leafy greens, broccoli & asparagus, so whether you are deficient depends on your intake of those, as well as genetics. Deficiency symptoms include fatigue, irritability, insomnia, depression and gingivitis. Deficiency increases risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia. See comment for more:.

Question 4

depression since 2011,fatigue still remains when mood stabilises. folate deficiency, only recently -fatigued yrs before it.what else causes fatigue?

Accepted Answer

Many causes : The list of possible causes is long: Lack of sleep, sleep apnea, malnutrition, anemia, uncontrolled allergies, chronic inflammation/infection, autoimmune conditions, hormonal (hypothyroidism, low testosterone), dehydration,  chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia

Question 5

if a 70 yrs old man lost 10 kg in a yr coz depressed, then do you expect that he will have folic/folate deficiency? he did not test yet, but b12 is ok

Accepted Answer

Depends on his diet: I'm not surprised B12 is ok as we can store a 2-3 year supply! but folate (folic acid) isn't stored ; must be replenished daily. Whether he's deficient depends on recent intake- it's found in lentils, beans ; greens; if not eating much of those or not taking supps he is likely deficient. If he supplements i would advise he use the active form, l-5-mthf.
See http://whfoods.Com/genpage.Php?Tname=nutrient;dbid=63.

Question 6

my mch and mchc are low, my platelets are high and my rbc too. can this be due to iron and folate deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Small red cells: But you're able to make them adequately. Most often, low MCV / MCH / MCHC and high RBC means thalassemia minor.

Question 7

will folate deficiency cause miscarriage? if we take folic acid before pregnancy will it reduce the chance of miscarriage?pls hlp dr

Accepted Answer

Possibly ; yes: Research shows folate (folic acid) deficiency increases risk of early miscarriage by 50%, yet most women who are folate (folic acid) deficient will not have a miscarriage. But since folate (folic acid) deficiency increases risk of neural tube birth defects it's wise for all women who might become pregnant to take Folic Acid (or the l-5-mthf form for the 1/3 of people who have trouble converting folc acid to folate (folic acid)).It will reduce risk.

Question 8

microcytes with iron deficiency and microcytes with b12/folate deficiency i don't drink medicine for stomach acid and my hemoglabin is normal

Accepted Answer

What are you asking?: B12 and folate (folic acid) produce macrocytosis. If someone has told you that you are deficient in all three, but not anemic, or if you are perplexed over some lab results, then at best you have a physician who has communicated poorly and you need to get a second opinion from someone else.

Question 9

do you expect a 70 yrs man with severe depression for 1 yr and lost 10 kg to have folic/folate deficiency? how much? do xanax, (alprazolam) zyprexa, reduce folic?

Accepted Answer

Likely not related: Those medications should not cause folate (folic acid) deficiency. This needs further work-up.

Question 10

what would cause folate (folic acid) deficiency in an 18 y/o male?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate diet: This is caused by not eating enough foods rich in folate: dark leafy greens (spinach), beans & lentils, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.You can also obtain folate from supplements, though most supps have folic acid, a synthetic form you need to convert to folate. 1/3 of people can't make that conversion & thus should take l-5-mthf. See http://www.Whfoods.Com/genpage.Php?Tname=nutrient&dbid=63.

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Doctor answers about:

Effects of folate deficiency

A member asked:

What is folate-deficiency anemia?

A member asked:

Found out unknown cause folate deficiency-rx 5mg folic acid tabs,how long before replenished? when to retest? causes ?vit d borderline deficient too

A member asked:

Do i have folate deficiency? i don't take mvi (multivitamin) or eat enriched bread

A member asked:

Depression since 2011,fatigue still remains when mood stabilises. folate deficiency, only recently -fatigued yrs before it.what else causes fatigue?

A member asked:

If a 70 yrs old man lost 10 kg in a yr coz depressed, then do you expect that he will have folic/folate deficiency? he did not test yet, but b12 is ok

A member asked:

My mch and mchc are low, my platelets are high and my rbc too. can this be due to iron and folate deficiency?

A member asked:

Will folate deficiency cause miscarriage? if we take folic acid before pregnancy will it reduce the chance of miscarriage?pls hlp dr

A member asked:

Microcytes with iron deficiency and microcytes with b12/folate deficiency i don't drink medicine for stomach acid and my hemoglabin is normal

A member asked:

Do you expect a 70 yrs man with severe depression for 1 yr and lost 10 kg to have folic/folate deficiency? how much? do xanax, (alprazolam) zyprexa, reduce folic?

A member asked:

What would cause folate (folic acid) deficiency in an 18 y/o male?

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