I've just found out I should have had my folic acid levels test BEFORE pregnancy

[LowFolate]

...unfortunately the doctor did not tell me this and I'm now 5 weeks pg.

About 9 months ago I was feeling under the weather so I had a load of blood tests done. All normal except for my folate levels (how well folic acid is absorbed by the body). It was 2.4, 3 is the bottom end of normal. Doctor seemed a bit bemused but said she'd have to look at it further because she didn't know much about it and I did not have folate anaemia. We talked specifically about being a parent - the doctor that I saw who referred me for tests tried to suggest it was just a normal symptom of being a mum of a 2 year old - which we agreed was not likely. She said she would contact me if there was anything to worry about. Did not mention anything about pregnancy and I pointed out I was already taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid.

Well now I'm pregnant with number 2. I contacted the GP surgery who have told me I should have had my folate levels tested prior to pregnancy. Great. Nobody told me! She has told me to contact the maternity unit at the hospital.

So, how worried should I be? Has anyone else been through this and what happened?

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I've never heard of that test before. Hope you get some good advice. Here's another...

Bump.

Thanks. It's a standard test to check my folic acid levels. Most people have it tested routinely during pregnancy I think but there's a possibility mine are deficient if they were before. I have no idea what that means though.

Bump

It's a while since I've been been pregnant as my boys are 7 and 4 now. It is maybe a new test or I never noticed it before. I hope it's ok for you and that they test it again and give you some advice. Good luck.
Bump again.

Folic acid levels are not tested routinely in pregnancy here - are you in UK?

Haven't heard of this test being done as routine pre-pregnancy (not in UK anyway). But all NHS guidance is to take extra folic acid for at least 3 months before you try to get pregnant and up to 12 weeks in, which is another way of achieving the same objective, I suppose.

No this is not routine for pre-pregnancy. This is something that should have happened specifically for me because I previously showed a folate (folic acid) deficiency. I had that deficiency despite taking a multi-vitamin with folic acid in it. I was told nothing to worry about but now they are saying I should have been tested before conceiving. Bit bloody late to tell me at 5 weeks pg

When I spoke to the hospital today they suggested it was sonething they'd do when taking bloods at booking in but they would move that appointment sooner.

Yes I am in UK.

Hi there. I am also in early pregnancy and folate deficient (because I have just been diagnosed coeliac). Luckily I had a dietician appt (because of coeliac disease) and she told my GP I should be on a higher dose of folic acid- 5mg per day instead of 400mcg. Ideally I would have been on the higher dose before getting pregnant but I had just been taking the standard 400mcg until the dietician appt at 5 weeks pregnant. She said it was fine to start it then and I didn't need to take even more to make up for lost time.

Get on the higher dose ASAP, I reckon. Your GP shoukd agree to this given your earlier levels and to err on the side of caution? Good luck.

Anna
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Thanks Anna. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one. I don't think upping my folic acid intake will hurt but my doctor is clueless and won't do anything until a blood test has been done

OP - just to say its not something tested for routinely in pregnancy.

i also take 5mg a day thought out pregnancy,

this is much higher than the 400mcg a day recommended,

no problems here, i only started them when i got a bfp,

the doc can perscribe them to you,

I'll go back to GP. Goodness only knows when the booking appointment will come through and I can't just take a few extra folic acid tablets to get up to 5g... I would have to take 12,499 extra!

Thank you everyone for replying. I was feeling a bit freaked out.

Hi op, i had problems for the last 2 years with my folate levels aswell, i also don't absorb vitamin B12 well either, i have been taking folic acid, iron and have had vit b injections for the last year, my folate levels are still low dispite adjusting my supplements and diet.
I have also got consistantly high inflammation levels on my blood tests, and my gp didn't seem that concerned when i told him i was pregnant, just told me to make sure i keep taking my supplements.
I would just up your dose of folic acid, and keep contacting your MW/GP.
I hope everything goes well.

Good mental arithmetic! I know what you mean - I was panicking and wondering whether I could just self-medicate until I saw the GP and got the prescription but I take liquid folic acid and I would have needed to down two whole bottles each time!! Not really a runner. I was just panicked as I know folic acid is so important in the first twelve weeks so I thought a further delay could cause problems, but the dietician and the consultant seemed fairly relaxed when they discussed it with me.

I hope the test results come back quickly and your GP sees sense. Do you have anyone more sympathetic you could contact in the meantime - e.g. a midwife or an early pregnancy unit?

Good luck!!

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