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Original poster

Folic acid deficiency

11 replies

namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 19:08

Had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and it came back I was folic acid deficient. I have been put on folic acid tablets 5mg tablets which I have been taking for 9 days.
Today I have just found out I am pregnant. It wasn't planned but a happy accident. However I'm now really concerned about my deficiency and the effect it could have on the baby. My previous pregnancy I was taking folic acid before I even got pregnant.
I know I need to speak to a medical professional but just wondered if anyone has any experience or any doctors/nurses on here that know how long it takes for the tablets to start to work?

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 15/04/2023 19:12

I'm not sure how long they take to work but I had a deficiency and my baby was born with serious health problems including neural tube defects.
A consultant told me post birth that these congential defects happened during the 6-7th week of gestation, there is nothing you can do past that point to correct an issue.

Original poster
namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 20:59

Thank you for your response @TomatoSandwiches. Can I ask at what stage did you find out about your deficiency?
I am currently 4 weeks pregnant so I am hoping the tablets I have been on will help.

OP posts:
Cooley · 15/04/2023 21:06

Hi, just wanted to say I’m in the same boat as you. I was told at a recent blood test I was low in folic acid and then I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant shortly after. I was so worried about it. I spoke to my Doctor who helped calm my nerves. I’m still worried about it but I’m trying to not obsess over it. There is literally nothing we can do other than keep taking the folic acid going forwards and pray for the best. Yes there is a higher risk of birth defects from low folic acid but it’s not a 100% guarantee! Xx

seasawz · 15/04/2023 21:09

I had a healthy baby whilst being deficient. It's possible I was deficient with my others too.

Do you eat things with folic acid in daily? Cereal etc. If you do it's likely the baby will be getting that. From memory baby will benefit from the folic acid tablets right away.

TomatoSandwiches · 15/04/2023 21:17

namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 20:59

Thank you for your response @TomatoSandwiches. Can I ask at what stage did you find out about your deficiency?
I am currently 4 weeks pregnant so I am hoping the tablets I have been on will help.

I was 7 weeks, too late to change what had already gone wrong unfortunately.
I do hope someone can answer your question properly for you, perhaps you can ask for an early scan, I was offered one.

Original poster
namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 23:54

Cooley · 15/04/2023 21:06

Hi, just wanted to say I’m in the same boat as you. I was told at a recent blood test I was low in folic acid and then I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant shortly after. I was so worried about it. I spoke to my Doctor who helped calm my nerves. I’m still worried about it but I’m trying to not obsess over it. There is literally nothing we can do other than keep taking the folic acid going forwards and pray for the best. Yes there is a higher risk of birth defects from low folic acid but it’s not a 100% guarantee! Xx

Thank you @Cooley I wish you well in your pregnancy

OP posts:
Original poster
namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 23:56

seasawz · 15/04/2023 21:09

I had a healthy baby whilst being deficient. It's possible I was deficient with my others too.

Do you eat things with folic acid in daily? Cereal etc. If you do it's likely the baby will be getting that. From memory baby will benefit from the folic acid tablets right away.

Thank you @seasawz it's good to know that folic acid starts to benefit more or less straight away. I have been making sure my diet has more folic acid in it since my blood test

OP posts:
Original poster
namechange9374 · 15/04/2023 23:59

@TomatoSandwiches that's a good idea I will ask about an early scan.
Thank you for your advice and I sorry for you and your baby must have gone through

OP posts:
ImSoShiney · 16/04/2023 00:01

Speak to the doctor asap they will put you on a higher dose of folic acid

Lottie917 · 29/09/2023 10:43

sorry to post on an older thread, I was just wondering how you are all getting 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 experiences and how things are going for you all if you don't mind sharing?

am3017 · 01/10/2023 20:00

Just come across this thread…I was given 5mg folic acid last august for deficiency, I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant and have had low folate levels when tested at 16 weeks and again 2 weeks ago at 23…I’ve had my 20 week scan and everything showed as normal so assuming baby will be fine but still worrying as levels have been low with both tests whilst taking 5mg folic acid daily

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