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Pregnancy

folic acid for a fatty?

23 replies

fedupandknackered · 03/05/2014 13:12

I thought that I had read that if you are bigger then a larger dose of folic acid is recommended?

the tablets I have are 400mcg. I am 5"4 and 16 stone.

how much should I be taking? can you overdose in it?

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Mummywithlove · 03/05/2014 13:53

Iv never heard that before.. Im 5ft5 and 15 stone and doctor told me just to take 1 tablet which is 400mcg. SO I would say just take 1 tablet at 400 mcg.
HOpe this help... good luck xx

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bakingtins · 03/05/2014 15:14

You can't overdose, it's a water soluble vitamin, any excess will be peed out. I was on 5 mg due to previous miscarriage issues. I wouldn't think your weight affects it though, the only reasons I've heard of high doses being recommended is miscarriage or spina bifida in the family. Check with your doctor or midwife.

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SicknSpan · 03/05/2014 15:17

My midwife arranged for a prescription for extra folic acid because my bmi was 31- can't recall the dose though. This was at booking in- how far along are you?

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bakingtins · 03/05/2014 15:18

Correction, quick Google reveals if your BMI is > 30 then you are at increased risk of neural tube defects and should take 5 mg a day. You can get 1mg tablets on prescription, I just took handfuls of the standard tablets,they are v cheap.

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bakingtins · 03/05/2014 15:19

Boking is too late if it happens at 10 weeks though, neural tube forms in early pregnancy.

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Hserenade · 03/05/2014 15:38

Bmi over 30 and you need 5mg

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fedupandknackered · 03/05/2014 16:00

so couldni just take more of the tablets I have? how do I get 400mcg to 5mg?

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fedupandknackered · 03/05/2014 16:00

*sorry, could I?

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TheSpottedZebra · 03/05/2014 16:05

5000mcg / 400mcg = 12.5 tablets

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TheSpottedZebra · 03/05/2014 16:06

(1mg = 1000mcg)

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bakingtins · 03/05/2014 16:06

I took 12 (actually 11 just folic acid 400 microgram plus one pregnacare multivit) that's 4.8mg, or 13 would be 5.2mg, or ask GP to prescribe the 1mg tablets and take 5 of those.

And of course I meant booking not Boking.

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fedupandknackered · 03/05/2014 16:19

oh cool. so I just have those tiny ones from tesco. is it safe to take 12 of those? I wont be able to get a docs appointment for a few days amd wanted to get folic acid going asap

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beebop100 · 03/05/2014 17:02

I too am taking 12 of the standard tabs, much cheaper.

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fedupandknackered · 03/05/2014 18:12

Righto! just sounds like a lot of tablets to take! ill keep reminding myself they are folic acid not paracetamol! Grin Grin

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LBNM19 · 03/05/2014 18:51

Your taking 12 in one day??

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strawberryjam · 03/05/2014 19:32

Raised BMI >35 should be considered for 5mg folic acid. I take 5mg due to history of arthritis, b12 deficient and vit D deficient.

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buggerboooo · 03/05/2014 21:29

DH was not impressed, he told me to go and speak to a pharmacist about it before i start taking 12 A day! Grin

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LBNM19 · 03/05/2014 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LBNM19 · 03/05/2014 22:21

Lol I'm not surprised seems like an awful lot when an "average" size person only takes 1 xx

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cooperbug · 04/05/2014 02:25

My bmi at booking is 30.9, I am just on the standard dose and not heard anything about needing anything higher?

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ohdearitshappeningtome · 04/05/2014 02:31

5mg can only be prescribed and it's for over a certain bmi your midwife will tell you what dose you need

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LBNM19 · 04/05/2014 06:52

My bmi is 32 no one told me to take more xx

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moominlike · 04/05/2014 07:02

My bmi is 29 and I was prescribed 5mg, I think the threshold is usually 30+

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