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Folate deficiency means you have a lower-than-normal amount of folic acid, a type of B vitamin, in your blood.
See also: Folic acid
Alternative NamesDeficiency - folic acid, Folic acid deficiency
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsFolic acid works along with vitamin B12 and vitamin C to help the body break down, use, and create new proteins. The vitamin helps form red blood cells and produce DNA, the building block of the human body, which carries genetic information.
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin. It is water-soluble, which means it cannot be stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine.
Because folate is not stored in the body in large amounts, you need a continual supply of this vitamin through your diet to maintain normal levels.
You can get folate by eating green leafy vegetables and liver.
Causes of folate deficiency are:
- Certain medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Diseases in which folic acid is not absorbed as well, such as celiac disease(sprue) or alcoholism
- Eating overcooked food
- Poor diet (often seen in the poor, the elderly, and people who do not eat fresh fruits or vegetables)
- Excess folic acid needs during the third trimester of pregnancy
- Hemolytic anemia
Folic acid deficiency may cause:
- Diarrhea
- Gray hair
- Mouth ulcers
- Peptic ulcer
- Poor growth
- Swollen tongue
Folate deficiency can be diagnosed with a blood test. Pregnant women usually have such blood tests during prenatal checkups.
ComplicationsAnemia (low red blood cell count) and, in severe cases, low levels of white blood cells and platelets are complications. In folate-deficiency anemia, the red blood cells are abnormally large.
Folic acid is also needed for the development of a healthy fetus. It plays an important part in the development of the fetus' spinal cord and brain. Folic acid deficiency can cause severe birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, known as neural tube defects.
PreventionThe best way to get the daily requirement of all essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the Food Guide Pyramid. Most people in the United States eat enough folic acid because it is plentiful in the food supply.
Folate occurs naturally in the following foods:
- Beans and legumes
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Wheat bran and other whole grains
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Poultry, pork, and shellfish
- Liver
The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends that adults should have 400 micrograms of folate daily. Women capable of becoming pregnant should receive this amount with folic acid supplements, not just fortified foods, to ensure the proper daily intake.
Specific recommendations depend on a person's age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy). Many foods now have extra folic acid added to help prevent birth defects.
See Folic acid in diet for the full folic acid requirements by age group.
See Folic acid and birth defect prevention for more information on folic acid requirements during pregnancy.
ReferencesAntony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 170.
Hamrick I, Counts SH. Vitamin and mineral supplements. Wellness and Prevention. 2008;35:729-747.
What else can I help you with?
What are the risk factors of hypochromia anisocytosis?
Vitamin b 12 deficiency Folate deficiency Iron deficiency
How does cerebral folate deficiency contribute to the development of autism?
Cerebral folate deficiency can contribute to the development of autism by affecting brain function and development. Folate is important for proper brain growth and function, and a deficiency can lead to neurological problems, including those associated with autism.
What influence alcohol has on folate?
Alcohol consumption can negatively impact folate levels in the body by impairing its absorption and metabolism. Chronic alcohol intake may lead to decreased intestinal absorption of folate and increased urinary excretion, which can result in folate deficiency. This deficiency can subsequently contribute to various health issues, including anemia and increased risk of neural tube defects during pregnancy. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the conversion of folate into its active form, further exacerbating the deficiency.
What can high levels of folate supplements mask?
vitamin b12 deficiency
A deficiency of which of the following vitamins results in accumulation of homocysteine in the blood?
folate
Folate deficiency during pregnancy is associated with what?
Neural tube defects.
Which nutrient deficiency, B12 or folate, should be addressed first in a patient presenting with symptoms of both deficiencies?
In a patient presenting with symptoms of both B12 and folate deficiencies, addressing the B12 deficiency should be prioritized.
What does -20 mean for folate?
A value of -20 for folate typically indicates a deficiency in folate levels in the body. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, as well as for red blood cell formation. Low levels can lead to health issues such as anemia and can affect fetal development during pregnancy. It is important to address folate deficiency through dietary changes or supplementation as needed.
One of the first symptoms of folate deficiency?
One of the first symptoms of folate deficiency is fatigue. Folate is crucial for energy production in the body, and low levels can lead to feeling tired and weak. Other early signs may include irritability, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
Is a person with a disorder that limits absorption of bile at increased risk for deficiency of niacin?
The answer is folate.
Why does a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 lead to macrocytic anemia?
A deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 can lead to macrocytic anemia because these nutrients are essential for the production of red blood cells. Without enough folate or vitamin B12, the red blood cells become larger than normal (macrocytic) and are unable to function properly, leading to anemia.
What causes a lack of folic acid?
Typically a lack in folic acid is due to dietary reasons, but pregnancy, smoking, and a few types of medications can lower it as well. Folic acid is found in green leafy vegetables, beans, and liver.
