Multivitamin when having to take extra folic acid

nubtheoryhhh · 2023-05-22T10:11:05+00:00

I'm needing to take a prescribed dose of folic acid due to bmi and as such I can't take pregnacare. Can anyone recommend a table I can take?

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:15

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dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:17

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Ignore this as I've confused vitamin d amounts with folic acid amounts. Sorry

dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:19

I'd maybe just add vitamin d instead of taking a multivitamin. As above you can take up to 100ug/4000IU of vitamin d. Is it the 5mg folic acid you've been prescribed?

Reugny · 22/05/2023 11:20

@dementedpixie your other advice is correct though e.g. OP should work out what dose is in the pregnancy tablets and take a lower dose separate folic acid tablet if possible.

Only because the OP is unlikely to find a pregnancy tablet that doesn't contain folic acid.

Reugny · 22/05/2023 11:21

dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:19

I'd maybe just add vitamin d instead of taking a multivitamin. As above you can take up to 100ug/4000IU of vitamin d. Is it the 5mg folic acid you've been prescribed?

The OP will miss out on other vitamins and minerals in the tablets.

dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:24

Nhs only advises folic acid and vitamin d. Other vitamins may not be required if she has a good varied diet

Original poster

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 11:25

dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 11:24

Nhs only advises folic acid and vitamin d. Other vitamins may not be required if she has a good varied diet

Diet at the moment isn't the best.... bland food only

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LividHouse · 22/05/2023 11:25

I used to take Pregnacare on top. Didn’t occur to me not to. 😬

Lcb123 · 22/05/2023 11:30

It's only vitamin D and folic acid recommended. Your diet should provide everything else, multivitamins aren't necessary.

Original poster

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 11:40

LividHouse · 22/05/2023 11:25

I used to take Pregnacare on top. Didn’t occur to me not to. 😬

It would mean I was taking 9g of folic acid which is maybe detrimental?

What week did you start taking extra folic?

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dementedpixie · 22/05/2023 12:20

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 11:40

It would mean I was taking 9g of folic acid which is maybe detrimental?

What week did you start taking extra folic?

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Is the pregnacare not only 400ug whereas the prescribed folic acid is 5mg? It would be 5400ug rather than 9mg

Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 12:23

The prescribed folic acid tablets are usually 5mg/milligrams and the pregnancy vitamins 400ug/micrograms (or 0.4mg) so not a massive amount more and fine to take together. Taking the recommended vitamin D on top instead of Pregnacare will be a lot cheaper! If you are concerned about your diet then can just take both

Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 12:24

Cross-post!

Original poster

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 12:25

Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 12:23

The prescribed folic acid tablets are usually 5mg/milligrams and the pregnancy vitamins 400ug/micrograms (or 0.4mg) so not a massive amount more and fine to take together. Taking the recommended vitamin D on top instead of Pregnacare will be a lot cheaper! If you are concerned about your diet then can just take both

Thank you. Yes that's what the doctor wrote but I wasn't too sure as I don't understand the mg etc.

Fuck so me being overweight means I'm having to take a lot of folic!

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Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 12:32

5mg is the same as 5000ug (as 1mg is equivalent to 1000ug, like how 1L is 1000ml).
So combining will mean 5.4mg or 5400ug.
You do need a higher dose for increased BMI but I wouldn't be worried about the small extra dose from a pregnancy/pre-conception vitamin, just make sure it contains 10ug of vitamin D as well.

wonkylegs · 22/05/2023 12:36

I have to take extra folic acid (5mg) due to another condition so in pregnancy asked about this - the pregnancy vitamins have such a small dose in comparison (micrograms not milligrams) it's not worth worrying about and unless your dr says otherwise then it's fine to take them together .
If in doubt just ask, dr won't mind.

Nadinya · 22/05/2023 13:10

I'm taking extra folic acid and my doctors know that I also take pregnacare, no one mentioned any issues whatsoever

Original poster

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 13:24

Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 12:32

5mg is the same as 5000ug (as 1mg is equivalent to 1000ug, like how 1L is 1000ml).
So combining will mean 5.4mg or 5400ug.
You do need a higher dose for increased BMI but I wouldn't be worried about the small extra dose from a pregnancy/pre-conception vitamin, just make sure it contains 10ug of vitamin D as well.

Oh right thanks.

So I'm confusing the amount. So normal people take 400 and I take 5000?

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Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 14:03

So women with risk factors for neural tube defects are advised to take the higher dose, or if they have a condition where they don't absorb folic acid well, like bowel conditions. High BMI (>30) is a risk factor so that is why you will have been prescribed 5mg, as it reduces the risk for neural tube defects.
Those without risk factors should be fine to take the lower dose (400ug).

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/

If you scroll down this talks a bit about the higher dose of folic acid and indications, as well as a bit about other vitamins, which you may find helpful if this is something you're concerned about.

Vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy

Find out about vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy, including why you should take a folic acid supplement.

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition

Original poster

nubtheoryhhh · 22/05/2023 14:49

Ihatewinding · 22/05/2023 14:03

So women with risk factors for neural tube defects are advised to take the higher dose, or if they have a condition where they don't absorb folic acid well, like bowel conditions. High BMI (>30) is a risk factor so that is why you will have been prescribed 5mg, as it reduces the risk for neural tube defects.
Those without risk factors should be fine to take the lower dose (400ug).

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/

If you scroll down this talks a bit about the higher dose of folic acid and indications, as well as a bit about other vitamins, which you may find helpful if this is something you're concerned about.

Thanks. I didn't realise it's micro grams and milligrams.... oh god I didn't start until week 10 :(

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