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Conception

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Original poster

High dose folic acid 5mgs

16 replies

Rrrr123 · 21/07/2021 16:26

Hi.
Very anxious and worried tonight, so need some reassurance please.....
Has anyone been taking high dose 5mgs of folic acid for recurrent miscarriage with no other illness or deficiency. I've taken for 1 year trying to conceive continually. Any one else the same please? It feels like I'm the only one on this high dose for recurrent miscarriage. No high bmi, but 2 previous miscarriages, I'm nearly 39. Any one else who is the same? Consultant said take 1 month pre conception but hard to know when I'm going to get pregnant so I kept on taking it. xx

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 21/07/2021 16:42

I took high dose folate 5mg for recurrent miscarriage too.

If you buy a product labelled as 'folate' rather than 'folic acid' your body synthesises it more effectively and if you're taking more than you need then your body kind of deals with it. Whereas with synthetic folic acid you can get build up on high doses for a long time.

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 21/07/2021 16:54

@INeedNewShoes
Thanks, I wasn't aware if this. Oh no. Worried re the build up. X

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 21/07/2021 17:01

I don't think you should worry about it; just change to folate in the next few days :)

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 27/10/2021 23:06

Hi. So sorry only just replying, I wasn't able to reply last time error on system and it wouldn't allow me to add a comment seems I can now.... sorry you have had miscarriages too. Do you mind me asking how long you took high dose 5mgs folic acid for before getting pregnant too? Xx

OP posts:
PeanuttyButter · 28/10/2021 08:44

I was told to start taking the high dose from BFP. I've had 2 miscarriages x

Bellesjp · 28/10/2021 10:46

I don't think it's a problem taking it long term. It's a b vitamin so your body gets rid of what it doesn't need. Im currently on it as I've had a baby with birth defects, been told to take for 3 months prior to ttc but it's fine to take for longer, then you should take up to 12 weeks pregnant.

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 11:11

Thanks. Sorry to hear that. When you were told to take 3 months before ttc, if you don't get pregnant in 3 months were you advised to take the 5mgs daily until you do get pregnant then plse? X

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Berkeys · 28/10/2021 11:14

I was taking it but actually should not have been because thanks to my fertility clinic I now know I have the MTHFR gene mutation and cannot process the synthetic folic acid, it makes me ill. I have to avoid it and take the natural bioavailable folate (l-methylfolate) instead.

Bellesjp · 28/10/2021 11:29

@Rrrr123 yes I've been told to continue taking until I do get pregnant and then take until 12 weeks

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 11:44

@Berkeys Sorry to hear that. I was negative for that so need the folic acid I believe

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Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 11:48

@Bellesjp ah OK, so 5mgs daily every day for however long it takes you to conceive and they didn't give you a cut off eg only take for up to 4 months etc....just keep taking until pregnant then? Do you take any other vits with it? I also take pregnacare which has 400 micrograms in too. My bmi is normal and no illnesses etc so mine was for recurrent miscarriage. Was yours only given because of previous baby's condition then? It seems different consultants think differently re high dose 5mgs x

OP posts:
Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 11:51

@PeanuttyButter Sorry to hear you had miscarrisges too. I have had 2 as well sadly, I'm older I'm 39 now but my consultant said to take high dose folic acid for 1 month before ttc but as I'm not getting pregnant I've taken for a year as not pregnant yet, I was worried I'd taken too much

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Bellesjp · 28/10/2021 13:10

@Rrrr123 yes my baby unfortunately had brain defects so I was prescribed to help prevent this happening again. Folic acid is for preventing neural tube defects so I guess that could be a cause of miscarriage also

I also proceive multivitamins with 400mcg folic acid in. I think 5mg is a pretty safe dose, if it makes you feel any better it's the standard dose in the US for ttc and pregnancy from what I've seen online, so try not to worry about taking it for too long x

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 13:28

@Bellesjp sorry to hear that. Did they say you have any blood defects that you can't absorb folic acid? My bmi is normal as well but they said to take for recurrent miscarriage. Are you advised to take before getting pregnant then for how ever long it takes. Do they have to check your folate levels too in blood tests. I'm older 39 so maybe why I'm on it too x

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Bellesjp · 28/10/2021 13:43

@Rrrr123 no not that I know of, it's just the standard high dose they prescribe as 400mcg is not enough to prevent defects sometimes. Yes advised to take before and whilst ttc. I wouldn't be worried about taking the higher dose, it's better for you to have it than not have it

Original poster
Rrrr123 · 28/10/2021 13:49

@Bellesjp That's reassuring then thanks for your message. I felt like I was the only one who had taken 5mgs folic acid for a full year every day. The fact that they say to you just keeping taking daily whilst ttc with no cap on when to stop is reassuring thanks x

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