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Original poster

More folic acid for the overweight

29 replies

FoofFighter · 17/12/2012 12:12

I know that overweight mums usually get told to take an increased dose of Folic Acid, 5mg is it? Anyone know how many normal dose folic acid tablets it's equivalent to please?

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BonaDea · 17/12/2012 14:47

It's a lot more. I think the standard dose is 0.40 mg.

scissy · 17/12/2012 20:50

12.5 times more to be exact - you can only get it on prescription from a doctor.

weeblueberry · 17/12/2012 21:06

I wasn't told to take more than the standard folic acid intake and I'm overweight... when were you all instructed on this?

sundaesundae · 17/12/2012 21:12

I don't believe it is anything to do with being overweight, it is for those at an increased risk of a neural tube defect, so epileptics on certain drugs, insulin dependent diabetics, people with a family history of NTD or previous pregnancy with a NTD, folate issues I think are the main reasons. You shouldn't just start taking it, you should consult your GP if you think you need it for some reason, but your MW will advise.

Supershiv1 · 17/12/2012 21:31

I have to take increased rate because my BMI puts me in the obese category. Anything 30+ is classed as obese.
If you are just 'overweight' you might not need them.
Wasn't impressed at being classed as obese. Am a size 16 and just thought I was a little podgy! :-(

Dynababy · 17/12/2012 21:52

I actually asked my midwife if I should be on high dose as bmi over 30 but she said no... Why so much conflicting advice on this?

sundaesundae · 17/12/2012 22:10

There is a link between maternal obesity and an increased risk of NTD it is about a 7% increase (thinking back to my dissertation of five years ago!!), so I guess in some areas they are reacting to that? Nice guidelines (2008 is the most up to date I could find) do not include weight as a reason for an increased dose.

Ellypoo · 17/12/2012 22:11

My bmi is >30 but I'm not on higher dose folic acid. Has your MW/GP said that you need it? If so, they should prescribe it for you.

Original poster
FoofFighter · 17/12/2012 22:14

Sundae, yes it is definitely because of being overweight, think it's over 35 bmi, direct from the MW mouth (last time) maybe just where i live are hotter on it, like the vitamin D issue.

Ellypoo I had it last time but cannot get an appointment till after Christmas to get it prescribed, bloody surgeries.

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weeblueberry · 17/12/2012 22:22

Ah okay. My pre pregnancy BMI was 31 or 32 so maybe they didn't think it was high enough in my area...

KFFOREVER · 17/12/2012 23:06

Im overweight and wasnt told about extra folic acid. The only thing midwife said was to take vitamin d throughout my pregnancy.

Supershiv1 · 18/12/2012 09:24

My BMI is 31, but I wasn't taking it before I was pregnant and I'm older (37) so don't know if that has Any extra bearing.
No history of pregnancy issues in family, but do have a few sets of twins.
Extra scans not required. Also been put on low dose aspirin.

TinkyPeet · 18/12/2012 09:27

My bmi is 37 (or was at booking in, dunno if I've put weight on, I don't get on well with scales! Grin) and I wasn't given a higher dose of frolic acid, just the normal one, which admittedly I do forget to take most of the time! Lol x

lotsofcheese · 18/12/2012 21:16

For a BMI over 30, a higher dose of frolic acid should be taken. However it's a 5mg tablet that can only be prescribed by a GP ( the dose required is 4mg but they don't manufacture 4mg). Hope that helps.

1978andallthat · 18/12/2012 23:47

I have bmi of 40 and was never advised this.

Wishfulmakeupping · 19/12/2012 00:15

I'm actually fuming about this- I'm 33 weeks and have not heard this at all and the midwife did speak to me at booking about my high bmi which was 32- just looked at guideline and over 30 should be taking extra.
My midwife is fucking useless, got an app Tomo gonna say something about this :(

Original poster
FoofFighter · 19/12/2012 13:20

Frolic acid Grin I could do with some of that lol

OP posts:
weeblueberry · 19/12/2012 13:55

Yep my BMI is 31/32 as I mentioned but I've definitely never been advised that I'd need a higher dosage... at 20 weeks I suppose it's a bit late to increase?

Wishfulmakeupping · 19/12/2012 14:18

Just seen my midwife- she said this is a new policy and is for first 12 weeks only?!
Does anyone know when this came out - I still have a feeling it was before my booking apppointnent in june when I was 5 weeks

BionicEmu · 19/12/2012 17:09

My BMI at my booking appt was 35, nobody mentioned taking more folic acid to me! Having said that, nobody mentioned taking vitamin D either, I only heard about that on here. I'm 34 weeks now anyway, so not much use hearing about increased folic acid now anyway I guess.

Supershiv1 · 19/12/2012 17:41

Hi. Yes, been told first 12 wks only.
Was prescribed it by GP as went to see him before midwife. At booking in she said the GP was doing a good job to prescribe the higher rate. That comment perhaps makes me think it is a newish thing?

Original poster
FoofFighter · 19/12/2012 17:49

well i was aware of this and the vitamin d thing last year, then again I do find Scotland to be way ahead of the rest of the UK in a lot of health matters.

OP posts:
MushyPeace · 30/12/2012 23:11

In the absence of 5mg tablets, could you just take lots of the smaller dose? Wondering as I need to start taking folic acid soon and I unfortunately have a high BMI!

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 31/12/2012 01:07

Mushy I've been taking about 10-12 normal strength folic acid tablets a day.

blahblahblahyah · 31/12/2012 02:33

Thanks James.

Were you advised to or did you just do it?

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