Question 1

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 2

can you have an iron deficiency if you have normal iron and folate levels but low hemoglobin?

Accepted Answer

: Iron level alone is not adequate to decide if you are iron deficiency or not. You must have a complete iron panel done which should include TIBC and ferritin level. If TIBC is high and ferritin is low or in the low normal range, you have iron deficiency. Furthermore, in iron deficiency anemia, the MCV and MCH are both low. Folate level is a separate issue, low folate causes megaloblastic anemia.

Question 3

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 4

i am a 56 year-old female with a  history >20 yrs of chronic non-iron deficiency anemia, hgb 10.2. no menses, 2 egds/colonoscopies in last 10 years normal, fe, tibc, ferritin, folic acid, folate wnl.

Accepted Answer

Anemia NOS: Anemia can be due to a long list of conditions. The fact that it is chronic and not worsening is less worrisome. Capsule endoscopy to evaluate for evaluation of the small bowel as well as a bone marrow biopsy may be helpful for a more thorough workup. Profile indicates mvp; was there a valve replacement surgery? There is a relation.

Question 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

severe folate (folic acid) and iron deficiency now pregnant. can i take extra to decrease risk of birth defects?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: Folate (folic acid) deficiency might be the cause of the anemia as well. See your OB for getting the right amount of protective folate (folic acid).

Question 10

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.

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Doctor answers about:

Iron deficiency vs folate deficiency

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:

Can you have an iron deficiency if you have normal iron and folate levels but low hemoglobin?

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:

I am a 56 year-old female with a history >20 yrs of chronic non-iron deficiency anemia, hgb 10.2. no menses, 2 egds/colonoscopies in last 10 years normal, fe, tibc, ferritin, folic acid, folate wnl.

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:

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:

Severe folate (folic acid) and iron deficiency now pregnant. can i take extra to decrease risk of birth defects?

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?

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