Just got a BFP but massively panicing.. low folate

[rosesarereddish]

I literally just got a BFP, I did a test on the off chance as my boobs felt weird. It was positive. I'm completely worried as I stopped trying a couple of weeks ago as a doctor took my bloods and I have very, very low folate. They advised I take a supplement and start again in 3 months. I've been rubbish at remembering to take it, we were going to wear condoms until further notice. I feel so stupid as my mum had a baby with spina bifida that died shortly after birth, before she had me. I'm at huge risk, aren't I? I have taken the supplement some days, definitely not every day. It's a 5mg supplement. I can't remember what the doctor said my levels were. I feel so stupid.

Or is that not a BFP? Am I panicking over nothing?

I peed on it 4 minutes ago. So I don't think it's an evap? It came up instantly. It's very faint though?

Please help I have no one in real life to tell right now

I'm sorry you've got yourself so worried, it must have been a shock to see the line.

The line could well be an evaporation line, it does seem to lack any colour. FRERs are generally held up to be pretty reliable, could you get one and do it with your first morning wee tomorrow? Do you know roughly when you ovulated?

Even if you are pregnant it's not necessarily going to mean spina bifida. Start taking the folic acid religiously and if the test does come back with a clear positive, I'd make an appointment with your GP to discuss.

Hope all is okay

Hi @rosesarereddish

I cant see any pic but please dont panic, you've been taking a high dose folate supplement at least some of the time (that will help reduce the risk.
Now take it every single day and hopefully it will be enough. You will be able to get screening from 10-14 weeks which will pick up if there is a problem.

I logged ovulation pain on my app on the 7th. It's early days if I am so the line would be faint. I'm so worried I have big painful boobs and a metallic taste which were the tell tale signs with my first. I'm off to buy some more tests now but I'm going to feel sick until the morning

I don't think I can wait until morning. Would a first response be accurate at this time of day so early? I'm just shaking I can't relax at all

I got my folate up in 4 weeks from deficient to almost at the top of the range taking this:

Methyltetrahydrofolate Vitamin B9... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NTUBVZQ?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

1/2 tbsp = about 5mg. Take it religiously in a smoothie or glass of water.

I was surprised as it's meant to take about 4 months as you've been told.

Don't take anything you've not been prescribed, OP. Make sure you take yhe right dose every day, too.

And deep breaths - IMO you need to retest tomorrow morning, atm it looks like an evap.

@rosesarereddish

I don't think I can wait until morning. Would a first response be accurate at this time of day so early? I'm just shaking I can't relax at all

It's not necessarily time of day but the concentration of your urine. Don't drink too much and hold your wee for as long as possible and try.

My lines were always darkest on an evening - but I think low folate is easily treated and I don’t think it puts you at huge risk x

Make sure you’re taking a bioavailable folate supplement like the one linked above. Not ordinary folic acid. Some people cannot absorb folic acid (MTHFR gene) and it sounds like your family may have that gene, those people need bioavailable folate. What’s the one you’ve been taking?

Morning wee is so, so much more reliable. Get a first response and do one tomorrow am.

Breathe. It will be ok!!

Looks negative to me

FRER. Fuck!!

Congratulations!!

It will be FINE. Really.

@rosesarereddish sorry to post on an old thread, I was just wondering how you got on?

I'm in a similar situation. My folate was well below normal range in January this year, I was prescribed 5mg folic acid daily for 3 months and then I continued taking a standard folic acid daily supplement during May/June. Then found out I was pregnant in June and prescribed more 5mg daily by Dr.
So far everything seems okay, but the closer I get to my 20 week scan (next Tues) the more I'm winding myself up that it's going to have caused an issue for my baby. I had my bloods redone at 4 weeks pregnant and my folate had gone up to the highest end of normal which was reassuring.
I'm sure it's going to be fine next week, I just can't shake the little seed of doubt in my mind at the moment 🤦🏼‍♀️ it would be good to hear your experience and how things turned out if you don't mind sharing?