Folic acid deficiency is a condition in which the body lacks adequate stores of the B vitamin folic acid. This vitamin plays a role in building proteins in the body, including blood cells. Lack of folic acid leads to a type of blood disorder called megaloblastic anemia .
There are many types of anemia . Megaloblastic anemia is mainly characterized by larger than normal red blood cells in the blood. Folic acid deficiency is only one of several causes of megaloblastic anemia. Therefore, it is important for your doctor to confirm that folic acid deficiency is the cause of the megaloblastic anemia. After doing so, this condition can easily be treated. Contact your doctor if you think you may have a folic acid deficiency.
There are several causes of folic acid deficiency, including the following:
The following risk factors increase your chance of developing a folic acid deficiency. Tell your doctor if you are concerned you have an increased need for folic acid due to the following conditions:
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to folic acid deficiency. These symptoms may be caused by other, more serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. He or she will also perform simple blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia, and most importantly, determine the cause of the anemia.
It is difficult to distinguish between folic acid deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency . Both deficiencies result in megaloblastic anemia. However, folic acid deficiency is confirmed only by measuring red blood cell (RBC) folate levels in the blood.
It is especially important to confirm a diagnosis of folic acid deficiency before treatment with supplemental folic acid begins. Mistreating an actual vitamin B12 deficiency with supplemental folic acid will mask the vitamin B12 deficiency, meaning the anemia will be corrected, but the neurological damage associated with vitamin B12 deficiency will progress.
Blood tests may include the following:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Folic acid deficiency is usually treated with 1,000 micrograms of supplemental folic acid, given once a day until folic acid levels are replenished. The anemia usually is corrected within two months.
Once a folic acid deficiency is corrected, it is usually possible to consume enough folic acid by eating a balanced, varied diet including rich sources of folate, the food form of folic acid. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for folic acid is 400 micrograms per day for most adults.
To help reduce your chances of getting folic acid deficiency, consume plenty of the following foods:
RESOURCES:
March of Dimes
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Office of Dietary Supplements
http://ods.od.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Health Guide
http://www.bchealthguide.org
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/new_e.html
References:
Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies website. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3788/4574/8524.aspx . Accessed December 12, 2006.
Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies website. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=8524 . Accessed July 9, 2005.
Dietary supplement fact sheet: folate. Office of Dietary Supplements website.Available at: http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp . Accessed December 12, 2006.
Dietary supplement fact sheet: folate. Office of Dietary Supplements website. Available at: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate.asp#h9 . Accessed July 9, 2005.
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 18th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2006.
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 15th ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories; 1987.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.