What Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Having too little folate (vitamin B9) in your blood causes folic acid deficiency anemia.
Folate is necessary for your body to make new red blood cells.
Your body needs red blood cells to carry oxygen to your organs. Not having enough red blood cells causes a condition called anemia, which can make you feel weak and tired.
Your baby may be at higher risk of developing serious birth defects like spina bifida if you have folic acid deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Spina bifida causes the baby’s spinal column to be malformed.
If you’re folic acid deficient, taking supplements to increase your folic acid level can reduce your risk of developing anemia. What’s more: Experts at Harvard Medical School say that getting enough folic acid can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease.
Folate is necessary for your body to make new red blood cells.
Your body needs red blood cells to carry oxygen to your organs. Not having enough red blood cells causes a condition called anemia, which can make you feel weak and tired.
Your baby may be at higher risk of developing serious birth defects like spina bifida if you have folic acid deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Spina bifida causes the baby’s spinal column to be malformed.
If you’re folic acid deficient, taking supplements to increase your folic acid level can reduce your risk of developing anemia. What’s more: Experts at Harvard Medical School say that getting enough folic acid can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease.
Folic Acid
What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also
called B9. Your body loses B9 when you sweat and urinate. And your body
can’t store it, so you need this vitamin daily.
Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include:
- fatigue
- mouth sores
- gray hair
- swollen tongue
- poor growth (also among the chief symptoms of malnutrition)
- fatigue
- dizziness
- feeling cold
- irritability
- headache
- difficulty breathing
- pale skin
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- difficulty concentrating
Who Is at Risk for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Factors that increase your likelihood of developing this condition include:
- eating overcooked foods
- consuming a vitamin-poor diet
- heavy alcohol drinking (alcohol interferes with folate absorption)
- medical conditions (like sickle cell disease)
- medications
- pregnancy
Causes
What Causes Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Malnutrition is the most common cause of folic acid deficiency
anemia. Eating a diet low in vitamins or overcooking foods can
contribute to malnutrition. Heavy bleeding can also lead to anemia.
Foods rich in folic acid include citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and fortified cereals. Some people have trouble absorbing folic acid from food.
Other causes of folic acid deficiency anemia include the following.
Foods rich in folic acid include citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and fortified cereals. Some people have trouble absorbing folic acid from food.
Other causes of folic acid deficiency anemia include the following.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes folic acid deficiency for several reasons. Your body is slower to absorb folic acid during pregnancy, and the fetus consumes your body’s folic acid as it grows. Morning sickness that results in vomiting can cause you to lose folic acid.Malabsorption
Malabsorption occurs when your body can’t properly absorb a vitamin or mineral. Diseases such as celiac disease and medications, including those to control seizures, can disrupt the way your body absorbs folic acid.
Diagnosis
How Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?
Other blood conditions can cause symptoms similar to folic acid
deficiency anemia. You’ll need to see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your
doctor will do a complete blood count (CBC) test to determine if you have folic acid deficiency anemia. This test will reveal if your red blood cell count is low.
Your doctor may also order a blood test to check your folic acid levels. This is called a red blood cell folate level test. If you’re of childbearing age, your doctor may order a pregnancy test to determine if this is the cause of your deficiency. They’ll also ask questions about your eating habits to see if malnutrition is the culprit.
Be sure to mention to your doctor whether you’re taking any medications. Some can contribute to folic acid deficiency.
Your doctor may also order a blood test to check your folic acid levels. This is called a red blood cell folate level test. If you’re of childbearing age, your doctor may order a pregnancy test to determine if this is the cause of your deficiency. They’ll also ask questions about your eating habits to see if malnutrition is the culprit.
Be sure to mention to your doctor whether you’re taking any medications. Some can contribute to folic acid deficiency.
How Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia Treated?
The goal of treatment is to increase your body’s folic acid
levels. The easiest way is to take folic acid tablets daily, until the
deficiency is corrected. However, you might need to receive folic acid
intravenously if your levels are too low.
Along with taking supplements, you should eat foods that are high in folic acid, such as pinto beans, spinach, and oranges. Eat plenty of fresh foods and avoid processed or fried foods. They’re usually low in nutrients and high in fat.
Harvard Medical School guidelines recommend consuming 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid per day. Pregnancy and certain health conditions may warrant taking more. The most you can take without developing symptoms of an overdose is 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day.
Consult with your doctor before taking folic acid supplements.
Along with taking supplements, you should eat foods that are high in folic acid, such as pinto beans, spinach, and oranges. Eat plenty of fresh foods and avoid processed or fried foods. They’re usually low in nutrients and high in fat.
Harvard Medical School guidelines recommend consuming 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid per day. Pregnancy and certain health conditions may warrant taking more. The most you can take without developing symptoms of an overdose is 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day.
Consult with your doctor before taking folic acid supplements.
Long-Term Outlook
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