Question 1

if my folate blood serum level is high (23 ng/ml), should i take a folate supplement during pregnancy? i read that high folate blood serum levels are linked to greater risk of a child being born with autism. please advise - worried mom-to-be. thanks?

Accepted Answer

: every woman of child bearing age should be supplementing with activated(5-methyl-folate)-it is actually folate deficiency in pregnant women that can result in neural tube defects in the baby.  There are some variants of the MTHFR gene that can lead to inefficient activation of folate and result in folic acid inhibiting the activation of folate. Worth getting checked if planning to get pregnant.

Question 2

why should i take the vitamin folate (folic acid)?

Accepted Answer

If you are pregnant: Then it can help prevent a specific class of spinal cord defects called "neural tube defects."   if you are not pregnant, then eating a good and balanced diet will likely provide the Folic Acid you need.

Question 3

i am pregnant and have a mthfr gene mutation and i recently read that folic acid is not good for me or the baby and i should take folate instead?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid is folate (folic acid): Folic acid and folate are the same compound. Follow your gynecologists and hematologists recommendations. Folate is often prescribed during pregnancy in the field of psychiatry and neurology when patients are on anticonvulsants. I too have the same mutation that you have and i take folate every day. I have also been advised to take vitamin b6 and vitamin b 12 because of this. Your child should also be tested for this mutation and anyone else in your family.Best wishes.

Question 4

should every woman ttc take folate (folic acid)? what is the dose?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: All women in their childbearing years should take folate, (folic acid) especially if they are actively trying to conceive. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. The recommended dosage is 0.4-0.8mcg for women with low risk. Supplementation should begin at least 1 month before conception and continued throughout the first trimester.

Question 5

when both folate (folic acid) and b12 are low, which should you start to take first, and why?

Accepted Answer

B12: Less folate (folic acid) won't leave you with brain damage. Truth be told, though, as one of tomorrow's physicians you already know you don't treat lab values. Look at "why" the person is deficient. Many vegetarians lack both, despite all the talk. Look for malabsorption, and especially for pernicious anemia and if in any doubt, start the B12 injections right away.

Question 6

i'm taking folate as a pre-natal, 1000mcg. it suggests taking it with vitmain b12. my skin however breaks out from b12. is it okay to take it without?

Accepted Answer

See: Folate is an essential prenatal vitamin. B12 supplements are not.

Question 7

is this okay to take: warfarin + folate (folic acid)?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin: It's ok to take warfarin and folate (folic acid).

Question 8

my folate came back low at 4.6. do i just take folic acid supplement to fix it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You may take folic acid supplement. Better yet to take multivitamin with folic acid, in case you are deficient in other vitamins. You may take both.
For good diet visit: http://www.choosemyplate.gov

Question 9

is it possible to take too much folate (folic acid) (in pill form) before and during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid: Hi, the maximum recommended dose for Folic acid is 4 mg, but folic acid is water soluble vitamin and can be easily excreted from kidneys unless you have pernicious anemia.

Question 10

could my baby have spina bifida if i don't take folate (folic acid)?

Accepted Answer

Folate (folic acid) helps: If you are pregnant take folate (folic acid). It does help prevent spina bifida.

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Doctor answers about:

Should i take folate

A member asked:

If my folate blood serum level is high (23 ng/ml), should i take a folate supplement during pregnancy? i read that high folate blood serum levels are linked to greater risk of a child being born with autism. please advise - worried mom-to-be. thanks?

A member asked:

Why should i take the vitamin folate (folic acid)?

A member asked:

I am pregnant and have a mthfr gene mutation and i recently read that folic acid is not good for me or the baby and i should take folate instead?

A member asked:

Should every woman ttc take folate (folic acid)? what is the dose?

A member asked:

When both folate (folic acid) and b12 are low, which should you start to take first, and why?

A member asked:

I'm taking folate as a pre-natal, 1000mcg. it suggests taking it with vitmain b12. my skin however breaks out from b12. is it okay to take it without?

A member asked:

Is this okay to take: warfarin + folate (folic acid)?

A member asked:

My folate came back low at 4.6. do i just take folic acid supplement to fix it?

A member asked:

Is it possible to take too much folate (folic acid) (in pill form) before and during pregnancy?

A member asked:

Could my baby have spina bifida if i don't take folate (folic acid)?

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