Users' questions

Which disease is caused by folate deficiency?

Which disease is caused by folate deficiency?

When you have anemia, your blood can’t bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and organs. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well as it should. Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal.

What are the side effects of low folate?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.

  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • lack of energy (lethargy)
  • breathlessness.
  • feeling faint.
  • headaches.
  • pale skin.
  • noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)

In which disorders or diseases is a folic acid deficiency implicated?

The effects of folate deficiency include hyperhomocysteinemia, megaloblastic anemia, and mood disorders. Folate deficiency has also been implicated in disorders associated with neural tube defects.

How long does it take to correct folate deficiency?

For folate deficiency anaemia – treatment is usually for 4 months. But if the cause of your folate deficiency anaemia does not change or go away, you may have to take folic acid for longer, possibly for the rest of your life.

Can I get too much folate or folic acid?

You can’t get too much folate. However, it’s possible to take too much folic acid, the manmade form found in supplements and fortified foods. Doing so can cause stomach problems, trouble sleeping and skin reactions. Certain people should be especially careful about taking folic acid, including those who:

What is considered low folate levels?

140-628 ng/ml. Folate deficiency in adults is defined as plasma folate < 3.0 ng/ml and RBC folate < 140 ng/ml. Folate deficiency can be caused by inadequate dietary intake as well as certain underlying diseases or genetic impairments.

Is a high folic acid level bad?

A high folic acid level is usually not a problem; however, it could indicate a vitamin B-12 deficiency. This is because the body needs vitamin B-12 to process folic acid properly. A low folic acid level may indicate an anemia, folic acid deficiency, or malabsorption problems.

How much folate is too much?

You can’t get too much folate from foods that naturally have folate. But it is possible for some people to get too much folic acid. Taking more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid a day may cause nerve damage in people who do not have enough vitamin B12 in their bodies.