Folate/Folic Acid

[MyJoyousBird]

Hello

I am thinking about the future and TTC I started taking 5mg of folic acid and it made me really sick, bloated and awful headaches. I have been looking into folate and every article says something different about if you can take it instead on folic acid!
Can I take a natural folate instead of folic acid or does it have to be folic acid?

Thanks

Folate is the natural form of folic acid. Folic acid is synthetic and not everyone can process it but it's cheap and is added to loads of products like cereals. I read up on it a little and from what I understand if you can't process all the folic acid then it can potentially do more harm than good. I'm taking nutri advanced pregnancy multivitamin which has folate rather than folic acid. They are quite expensive but I figure ts worth it.

You only need 400mcg of folic acid in early pregnancy unless you have risk factors that would be discussed with midwife and prescribed. Have you tried taking a smaller dose to see if that helps ?

This was given to me by a fertility clinic because my bmi is 30. Maybe I should try a smaller dose! thanks

I just ordered wild nutrition which I think is similar I think hoping that will help and will be high enough dose!

I also take natural folate (5 Meyth). I take 5MG per day. I had low folate showing on blood tests despite already taking extraxso I think maybe I carry the gene that means my body doesnt process it well. I prefer to air on caution.

First person I've found who also experiences headaches!! I'm also ttc and prescribed 5mg but the headaches are horrific I've had to stop.

I took a break and now just switched to 1000ug folate, which so far seems to be fine but it's early days... and to be honest don't know if that's enough but it will have to do for now. I plan to switch back to my 5mg folic acid the second I find out I'm pregnant I think.

Hi ano24, out of interest why will you switch back to folic acid when pregnant? Hope you dont mind me asking.

Course not! No idea really, to be fair that does sound a bit of an odd plan doesn't it.

I guess because the 5mg I'm prescribed is really high (and for good reason) and the folate I'm taking is lower and isn't exactly what the doctor has suggested. And I'd never forgive myself if there were then issues with the pregnancy and I hadn't just put up with the headaches for the sake of a few weeks. If that makes sense?

(I also think I'd ask my doctor for advice before doing any of this in reality)

5mg folic acid is important

Tommys baby charity often recommend taking it 4 a month

Before trying to concieve

If your bmi is over 30

That makes complete sense. Yes, probably sensible to check with the doc first. They may say stick with the folate but worth checking. Good luck x