| Posted By |
Message |
randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
|
Folic Acid
Was wondering if anyone experienced this.. A friend of mine told me she had a friend who kept having chemicals, like me-- and while she was taking all of the folic acid recommended-- her blood work showed that all she needed to do was up her folic acid intake, and then she had a viable pregnancy.
So, I was just wondering if in addition to my progesterone supplements, I should try to take some additional folic acid-- since I am in the 2WW now.. in an effort to "save" my pregnancy if I in fact conceived again. I will not get my blood work back soon enough..
Was wondering if anyone had been told to take more than 800mg of folic acid, and if so-- how much additional did you take?
ETA-- I only will take it if it won't do any harm, etc. Otherwise-- I'll just wait for my blood work.
Message edited 5/15/2008 9:46:18 AM.
|
Posted 5/15/08 9:39 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by randella
Was wondering if anyone experienced this.. A friend of mine told me she had a friend who kept having chemicals, like me-- and while she was taking all of the folic acid recommended-- her blood work showed that all she needed to do was up her folic acid intake, and then she had a viable pregnancy.
So, I was just wondering if in addition to my progesterone supplements, I should try to take some additional folic acid-- since I am in the 2WW now.. in an effort to "save" my pregnancy if I in fact conceived again. I will not get my blood work back soon enough..
Was wondering if anyone had been told to take more than 800mg of folic acid, and if so-- how much additional did you take?
ETA-- I only will take it if it won't do any harm, etc. Otherwise-- I'll just wait for my blood work.
She probably had MTHFR-this is a blood disorder common in Eastern Europeans that means your body does not process folic acid well. It causes your blood to become thicker and makes you more likely to clot in your small vessels(like the ones that lead to a placenta, uterus, etc. I take a vitamin for this called Metanx. I believe it has 2400 mg of FA plus B Vitamins. Your body excretes FA through your urine so you can't take too much. You may want to also ask for the recurrent pregnancy loss panel since it seems if someone has one of these thrombophilias they have more.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 9:50 AM |
| |
|
randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
|
Re: Folic Acid
I know my doc took a set of blood to discover the reason for the loss of pregnancy, among many other things... so, I am sure I will find out when I got my results back.
I was just wondering if I could do anything now, that won't be harmful-- since I am in the 2WW and I won't get any test results until after.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 9:53 AM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Only take more than 800mg of folic acid if your doctor ok's it. I can't re-interate this enough.
Some girls on here take more folic acid because of issues that have had, including myself. BUT too much folic acid can be bad for you if you don't take the right amount.
Speak to your doctor about this.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 9:55 AM |
| |
|
randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
|
Re: Folic Acid
I will just hold off-- just trying to be as proactive as possible...
|
| Posted 5/15/08 9:57 AM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by randella
I know my doc took a set of blood to discover the reason for the loss of pregnancy, among many other things... so, I am sure I will find out when I got my results back.
I was just wondering if I could do anything now, that won't be harmful-- since I am in the 2WW and I won't get any test results until after.
I don't believe extra folic acid will help retain a pregnancy that is not meant to be. Otherwise EVERYONE would take large amounts of it.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 9:58 AM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by randella
I will just hold off-- just trying to be as proactive as possible...
Definitely speak to your doctor about it.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 10:00 AM |
| |
|
randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by neener1211
I don't believe extra folic acid will help retain a pregnancy that is not meant to be. Otherwise EVERYONE would take large amounts of it.
Well, it would not be the case for everyone-- but, if you are having recurring chemical pregnancies, perhaps it is the course of treatment. I just hadn't heard of it before.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 10:05 AM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by randella
Posted by neener1211
I don't believe extra folic acid will help retain a pregnancy that is not meant to be. Otherwise EVERYONE would take large amounts of it.
Well, it would not be the case for everyone-- but, if you are having recurring chemical pregnancies, perhaps it is the course of treatment. I just hadn't heard of it before.
True, you never know!
|
| Posted 5/15/08 10:10 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Folic Acid
I take these vitamins as suggested by my OB/GYN
1 Prenatal
1 Calcium Citrate
1 Folic Acid
1 Omega 3 Fish oil
Every morning w/a glass of water along w/my Nexium and Synthroid
They really suggested that if all I took was teh prenatal and folic acid that would be ideal! HTH
|
| Posted 5/15/08 11:43 AM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by medic6809
I take these vitamins as suggested by my OB/GYN
1 Prenatal
1 Calcium Citrate
1 Folic Acid
1 Omega 3 Fish oil
Every morning w/a glass of water along w/my Nexium and Synthroid
They really suggested that if all I took was teh prenatal and folic acid that would be ideal! HTH
Those are a lot of vitamins! Is this a normal doctor recommendation or is this specific to you because of a health reason?
|
| Posted 5/15/08 11:53 AM |
| |
|
DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by neener1211
Only take more than 800mg of folic acid if your doctor ok's it. I can't re-interate this enough.
Some girls on here take more folic acid because of issues that have had, including myself. BUT too much folic acid can be bad for you if you don't take the right amount.
Speak to your doctor about this.
Of course you should speak to your Dr but this is simply not true. FA is excreted in your urine so your body takes what you need and gets rid of the rest. The vitamin I take is a prescription so obviously you would need your Dr to prescribe it for you. When you get your results if you want to FM me I can tell you waht I've experienced.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 11:55 AM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by melijane
Posted by neener1211
Only take more than 800mg of folic acid if your doctor ok's it. I can't re-interate this enough.
Some girls on here take more folic acid because of issues that have had, including myself. BUT too much folic acid can be bad for you if you don't take the right amount.
Speak to your doctor about this.
Of course you should speak to your Dr but this is simply not true. FA is excreted in your urine so your body takes what you need and gets rid of the rest. The vitamin I take is a prescription so obviously you would need your Dr to prescribe it for you.
When you get your results if you want to FM me I can tell you waht I've experienced.
Yes, this is true, and I agree with you, you urinate the remaining folic acid out. However, too much of any vitamin is not good for you. While I don't believe the original poster would take a large dose of folic acid, she was looking to take 800mcg, too much can be bad for you. I take 4MG (equal to 4000mcg), and the doctor has told me that when you start going over that much (4 or 5MG), it is not recommended.
There are no side effects unless you have pernicious anemia. The anemia can appear as a different type of anemia. Folic acid may hide pernicious anemia if you have it. Folic acid does NOT cause pernicious anemia yet maskes it. folic acid-COULD be bad
Not saying the poster has anemia, but still, always check with your doctor before taking medication.
Message edited 5/15/2008 12:24:47 PM.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 12:20 PM |
| |
|
katiebell
Hoping, wishing, waiting....
Member since 8/06 1418 total posts
Name:
K
|
Re: Folic Acid
My RE told me to take my prenatal and then over the counter folic acid. But when I went to my reg. doctor b/c of my thyroid, he wrote me a script for 4MG of folic acid, he said that you can't take too much and any extra will be excreted from your body.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 1:04 PM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Folic Acid
Just googling info-if you reasearch, in very large doses, this can be bad you. Again, i'm not saying that you were thinking of taking a large amount....most likely, the amount most people take will not be harmful. You can find this information towards the middle of this link:
folic acid
Directions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A healthy adult needs at least 400mcg of folic acid every day. Requirements at least double (800mcg) during pregnancy, and increase by 50% (to 600mcg) when a woman is breastfeeding (lactation). The average American diet, high in fats, sugar, and white flour, provides about 220mcg of folic acid, approximately the amount needed to maintain tissue stores of the substance for six to nine months before a deficiency develops. This reveals why disorders involving folic acid deficiency are so common.
Between 180 and 200mcg of folic acid are needed daily to maintain the tissue stores of folate. During pregnancy, times of stress or illness, or with alcohol use, the demands are increased, and a 200mcg Daily intake is not sufficient for supporting folic acid functions and maintaining tissue stores. Deficiency symptoms may then occur.
Many doctors now recommend at least 800mcg per day of folic acid via supplements. The suggested therapeutic dosages for most uses of folic acid or treating deficiency problems is about 1mg twice daily; it may take several months for this vitamin therapy to correct the deficiency and replenish stores of folic acid. Some studies are researching folic acid doses of 5-15mg, and even up to 60mg daily.
Higher folic acid intake can mask B12 deficiency and reduce zinc absorption, so these should be noted and monitored if high dose (over 2mg/day) folic acid supplementation is continued for long periods.
Side-Effects
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no specific toxic symptoms from folic acid intake, at least up to 5mg daily. However, excess folic acid in the face of a B12 deficiency, when B12 is not supplemented and absorbed, may lead to serious consequences. Folic acid will mask the B12-related anemia and early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency by helping the synthesis of DNA and red blood cell production, but folic acid has no effect on the myelin sheath covering the nerves, so nerve damage may occur where folic acid covers up a B12 deficiency. Higher doses of folate may also depress B12 levels. In recent research where higher levels (15 mg daily) of folate have been used, some side-effects developed after a month of treatment. These included gastrointestinal symptoms, insomnia, irritability, and malaise.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 1:34 PM |
| |
|
snowflake08
Love my boys!!!
Member since 8/07 5148 total posts
Name:
Laura
|
Re: Folic Acid
my dr. told me to take the reg. prenatals and also get flax seed at trader joes - supposedly its like wheat germ and put it in my yogurt
it has lots of folic acid and omega 3's that are great for you
|
| Posted 5/15/08 3:41 PM |
| |
|
SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by snowflake08
my dr. told me to take the reg. prenatals and also get flax seed at trader joes - supposedly its like wheat germ and put it in my yogurt
it has lots of folic acid and omega 3's that are great for you
I have head Flax seed is not recommended for pregnancy, it is Class C.
my prenatal comes with a DHA supplement.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
The use of flaxseed or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. Animal studies show possible harmful effects, and there is little information in humans. Flaxseed may stimulate menstruation or have other hormonal effects and could be harmful to pregnancy.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed
Omega-3 and Pregnancy
Pregnant women are often told to take fish oil capsules but must be careful to get the best quality, instead of cheap, generic stuff. The cheap fish oil may come from fish with contamination and may not be free of pollutants. Women should be careful about the types of fish and fish oil they consume when they are pregnant, nursing, or even when experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
Flaxseed oil does have omega-3 in it and is preferred by some people however some doctors say flaxseed oil should not be taken by pregnant women.
The reason is that flax seed, like soy or even more so, seems to have an effect on estrogen and hormones and might interfere with your body during pregnancy.
I know its a debateable issue, and there aren't too many facts on it right now, but wouldn't want to take any chances, KWIM? Especially since you can get DHA from other sources.
Message edited 5/15/2008 4:48:13 PM.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 4:40 PM |
| |
|
Makin-da-baby
Praying so hard this is it!!!
Member since 4/08 1391 total posts
Name:
Undercover Lover
|
Re: Folic Acid
I thought folic acid was only to prevent open neural tube defects. I would just wait and see what your doctor says 
|
| Posted 5/15/08 5:23 PM |
| |
|
snowflake08
Love my boys!!!
Member since 8/07 5148 total posts
Name:
Laura
|
Re: Folic Acid
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by snowflake08
my dr. told me to take the reg. prenatals and also get flax seed at trader joes - supposedly its like wheat germ and put it in my yogurt
it has lots of folic acid and omega 3's that are great for you
I have head Flax seed is not recommended for pregnancy, it is Class C.
my prenatal comes with a DHA supplement.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
The use of flaxseed or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. Animal studies show possible harmful effects, and there is little information in humans. Flaxseed may stimulate menstruation or have other hormonal effects and could be harmful to pregnancy.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed
Omega-3 and Pregnancy
Pregnant women are often told to take fish oil capsules but must be careful to get the best quality, instead of cheap, generic stuff. The cheap fish oil may come from fish with contamination and may not be free of pollutants. Women should be careful about the types of fish and fish oil they consume when they are pregnant, nursing, or even when experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
Flaxseed oil does have omega-3 in it and is preferred by some people however some doctors say flaxseed oil should not be taken by pregnant women.
The reason is that flax seed, like soy or even more so, seems to have an effect on estrogen and hormones and might interfere with your body during pregnancy.
I know its a debateable issue, and there aren't too many facts on it right now, but wouldn't want to take any chances, KWIM? Especially since you can get DHA from other sources.
thanks, i also found this
some answers about flax seed
|
| Posted 5/15/08 7:26 PM |
| |
|
Serendipity
Summer!
Member since 4/07 7631 total posts
Name:
PrayingWishingHopingALOT
|
Re: Folic Acid
Would definately check with your dr. before changing anything. The amount of folic acid you need can very from patient to patient. I have to take 4mg per day however that is bc of a clotting disorder.
|
| Posted 5/15/08 8:23 PM |
| |
|
