5g Folic acid and Autism - Please help!

[Angeldelight21]

Ladies, I'm looking for some advice and reassurance.

I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant after undergoing fertility treatments. The clinic has prescribed me 5g Folic acid supplements for 12 weeks. I did mention that I already take prenatals but they said still to take the additional folic acid, so I didn't question it.

I'm 36, normal BMI, no epilepsy or spibal bifida in the family, good diet etc.

I came across a few articles that state that increased folic acid supplements are linked to autism.

Now I'm panicking that I have harmed my baby by taking such a high amount. I know it'ts a water soluble vitamins but can it still cause damage?

Please share your experience and thoughts on this. Thank you X

@DoucheCanoe

Autism doesn't make a person "damaged".

This.

Folic acid doesn't cause autism any more than the bloody MMR does. It's mostly genetic.

Anyway, so what if your child does have autism? It's not a death sentence or anything to be ashamed of!

@Ozanj. She said she was a normal BMI, but it's true that there may be another reason for it.

I understand it's important to take the right amount of FOLATE, which is the natural form of folic acid.

Some people (eg those with MTHFR gene) can't process folic acid which is the synthetic form of folate, and it builds up and can cause issues. This does often include those with autism in the family. This is a common problem with synthetic vitamins and why where possible it's best to get vitamins from diet alone. However in pregnancy supplements are recommended.

Many pre Natals contain folate rather than folic acid but you have to have a look at the ingredients. I take Inessa as some of the others didn't agree with me.

I don't have links but I got my info from Lilly Nichols Real Food for Pregnancy book, she is a qualified dietician and all the research is cited clearly in the book (and probably online too).

Good luck!

The link posted above talks about excessive amounts of folate and B12 in the mother at the time of birth, which could be related to MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase which is both a gene and an enzyme) defects. There has been lots written about this and not all studies, sources and discussions agree but based on my reading (of peer reviewed published studies...) there is some evidence that certain MTHFR gene mutations can be linked with the failure of the body to metabolise these nutrients and that the same mutations are often but not always present in patients with autism spectrum symptoms. Also worth noting that estimates of up to 40% of the population may have some MTHFR mutation so the picture is far from clear. Some patients with these mutations and recurrent miscarriages are advised to take methylated folate. It is unlikely that the presence of excess supplements in the blood is the reason for the defects, rather that the gene mutation prevents the nutrients being absorbed and it is the lack of absorption that causes the problems and that the gene mutations are inherited. Again.... many of the papers conclude that better research is required, using wider populations so it is far from proven and unlikely to be the single factor involved in every case.

@DoucheCanoe

Autism doesn't make a person "damaged".

Yes. The wording of the OP irritated me as well. But it's come from a place of ignorance than anything else I think.

I really hope so @gamerchick.

Sorry, the "damage" word was related to the cell and brain development as stated in the articles. I hope I didn' offend anyone with the choice of wording. Thank you for all your replies X