Q: hi docs: if + for 2 mthfr genes, what are possible effects on body from foods high in folate (folic acid)? and is it typical to have lowish (<6) serum folate (folic acid)?

Need more not less!: If you have a problem with two MTHFR genes, you actually need folic acid supplementation. Foods high in folate will help you not hurt you. I usually recommend 4mg of folic acid a day, along with 1000ug of B-12 and 100mg B-6 per day and a bab aspirin. Some women with the MTHFR defect have repeated miscarriages. In my experience, the above supplements decrease the risk of this. Best wishes!

Q: can you determine if you have too much iron in your body by your folate (folic acid) levels? my doc says its pretty much the same thing.....

No: Blood folate (folic acid) levels do not tell anything about stores of iron in the body. Are you sure you are not confusing ferritin levels with folate (folic acid)? Ferritin levels are a valid indicator of iron stores.

Q: i had methotrexate 5 weeks ago for an ectopic pregnancy. methotrexate reduces the folate level in your body so when does the folate level return normal after the methotrexate shot?

: A single dose of methotrexate has no effect on folate levels. People who need to take methotrexate on an ongoing basis should also take folate supplements, but it isn't necessary after single doses or short treatment periods.

Q: my skin biopsy results say i have widespread small fiber neuropathy all over my body. im mildly deficient in folate. my red blood cell count is in the high normal range. could the low folate be the cause of my small fiber neuropathy?

: As a consequence of a positive skin punch biopsy, for small fiber neuropathy, it is next appropriate to obtain blood and urine studies to uncover causation. The most common cause is diabetes or pre-diabetes. Low B-12 may be a cause but low folate is NOT an etiology.

Q: how absorbed is vitamin bs and folate?

B complex: The 8 vitamins of the B complex are absorbed in the stomach and require acid to do so.

Q: dr has said i have low b12 and folate. what can cause this? should a 30day supply of medication fix the problem?

: Pernicious anemia is a possible cause, but at your age it is probably a diet low in dairy, fish and meat. A vegan diet as well as medications for indigestion can cause this problem. Medication will help but a diet that has folic acid in it will solve your problem.

Q: my folate is 44.3 does that mean i have anemia?

Not right test: To know if you have anemia you need to have your hemoglobin measured. You are not folate deficient but that does not rule out anemia.

Q: high rbc (5.13), high hb (15.1), hct (0.44), low folate (below 2.0), what could be going on here?

: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, you should take a multivitamin, any multivitamin available over the counter with folic acid will do. Your other lab results are normal. Wish you good health!

Question 1

what is the half life of a 1000 mcg folate supplement?  in other words, not withstanding existing folate in my body or what i eat, how long for 1000 mcg supplement to be out of my system?  thx?

Accepted Answer

: The half life is the term used to describe when 1/2 a drug/material is eliminated from the body. For folic acid the half life is sited as 1.5 to 2 hrs. The general rule is it takes 4 half lives to remove a substance from the body. Some separate compartments like the spinal fluid circulation may retain it longer. I would expect it to be gone in less than a day.

Question 2

is it true that nutrients (like folate) that are good for the body arent necessarily good for the brain?

Accepted Answer

: No. Folate is essential for neurological function.
For healthy diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/., exercise 30 minutes/day, drink enough water daily so your urine is mostly colorless, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. 
Get HPV vaccine. Wish you good health!
Safe sex: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/safer-sex-guidelines

Question 3

hi docs: if + for 2 mthfr genes, what are possible effects on body from foods high in folate (folic acid)? and is it typical to have lowish (<6) serum folate (folic acid)?

Accepted Answer

Need more not less!: If you have a problem with two MTHFR genes, you actually need folic acid supplementation. Foods high in folate will help you not hurt you.   I usually recommend 4mg of folic acid a day, along with 1000ug of B-12 and 100mg B-6 per day and a bab aspirin.   Some women with the MTHFR defect have repeated miscarriages.  In my experience, the above supplements decrease the risk of this.  Best wishes!

Question 4

can you determine if you have too much iron in your body by your folate (folic acid) levels? my doc says its pretty much the same thing.....

Accepted Answer

No: Blood folate (folic acid) levels do not tell anything about stores of iron in the body. Are you sure you are not confusing ferritin levels with folate (folic acid)? Ferritin levels are a valid indicator of iron stores.

Question 5

i had methotrexate 5 weeks ago for an ectopic pregnancy. methotrexate reduces the folate level in your body so when does the folate level return normal after the methotrexate shot?

Accepted Answer

: A single dose of methotrexate has no effect on folate levels. People who need to take methotrexate on an ongoing basis should also take folate supplements, but it isn't necessary after single doses or short treatment periods.

Question 6

my skin biopsy results say i have widespread small fiber neuropathy all over my body. im mildly deficient in folate. my red blood cell count is in the high normal range. could the low folate be the cause of my small fiber neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

: As a consequence of a positive skin punch biopsy, for small fiber neuropathy, it is next appropriate to obtain blood and urine studies to uncover causation.  The most common cause is diabetes or pre-diabetes.  Low B-12 may be a cause but low folate is NOT an etiology.

Question 7

how absorbed is vitamin bs and folate?

Accepted Answer

B complex: The 8 vitamins of the B complex are absorbed in the stomach and require acid to do so.

Question 8

dr has said i have low b12 and folate. what can cause this? should a 30day supply of medication fix the problem?

Accepted Answer

: Pernicious anemia is a possible cause, but at your age it is probably a diet low in dairy, fish and meat. A vegan diet as well as medications for indigestion can cause this problem. Medication will help but a diet that has folic acid in it will solve your problem.

Question 9

my folate is 44.3 does that mean i have anemia?

Accepted Answer

Not right test: To know if you have anemia you need to have your hemoglobin measured. 
You are not folate deficient but that does not rule out anemia.

Question 10

high rbc (5.13), high hb (15.1), hct (0.44), low folate (below 2.0), what could be going on here?

Accepted Answer

: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, you should take a multivitamin, any multivitamin available over the counter with folic acid will do. Your other lab results are normal. Wish you good health!

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Doctor answers about:

Folate function in the body

A member asked:

What is the half life of a 1000 mcg folate supplement? in other words, not withstanding existing folate in my body or what i eat, how long for 1000 mcg supplement to be out of my system? thx?

A member asked:

Is it true that nutrients (like folate) that are good for the body arent necessarily good for the brain?

A member asked:

Hi docs: if + for 2 mthfr genes, what are possible effects on body from foods high in folate (folic acid)? and is it typical to have lowish (<6) serum folate (folic acid)?

A member asked:

Can you determine if you have too much iron in your body by your folate (folic acid) levels? my doc says its pretty much the same thing.....

A member asked:

I had methotrexate 5 weeks ago for an ectopic pregnancy. methotrexate reduces the folate level in your body so when does the folate level return normal after the methotrexate shot?

A member asked:

My skin biopsy results say i have widespread small fiber neuropathy all over my body. im mildly deficient in folate. my red blood cell count is in the high normal range. could the low folate be the cause of my small fiber neuropathy?

A member asked:

How absorbed is vitamin bs and folate?

A member asked:

Dr has said i have low b12 and folate. what can cause this? should a 30day supply of medication fix the problem?

A member asked:

My folate is 44.3 does that mean i have anemia?

A member asked:

High rbc (5.13), high hb (15.1), hct (0.44), low folate (below 2.0), what could be going on here?

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