Folate deficiency anemia

Folate deficiency is common. It may result from inadequate intake, malabsorption, or use of various drugs. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia (indistinguishable from that due to vitamin B12 deficiency). Maternal deficiency increases the risk of neural tube birth defects. Diagnosis requires laboratory testing to confirm. Measurement of neutrophil hypersegmentation is sensitive and readily available. Treatment with oral folate is usually successful. Folate is now added to enriched grain foods in the US and Canada. Folate is also plentiful in various plant foods and meats, particularly raw green leafy vegetables, fruits, organ meats (eg, liver), but its bioavailability is greater when it is in supplements or enriched foods than when it occurs naturally in food (see table ). Folate supplements do not protect against coronary artery disease or stroke (even though they lower homocysteine levels); current evidence does not support claims that folate supplementation increases or reduces the risk of various cancers. Any role for using supplemental folate, methyltetrahydrofolate, or L-methylfolate, or for testing for mutations in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in patients with depression is uncertain at this time. The upper limit for folate intake is 1000 mcg; higher daily doses (up to 4 mg) are recommended for women who have had a baby with a Overview of Congenital Neurologic Anomalies Congenital brain anomalies usually cause severe neurologic deficit...

• make • repair DNA • produce If you don’t have enough folate in your diet, you may end up with a folate deficiency. Certain drinks and foods, such as Not eating enough folate can lead to a deficiency in just a few weeks. Deficiency may also occur if you have a condition or genetic mutation that prevents your body from absorbing or converting folate to its usable form. Folate deficiency can cause anemia. Folate is particularly important in people with uteruses of childbearing age. A Most people get enough folate from food. Many foods now have Folate is a water-soluble vitamin. It dissolves in water and isn’t stored in your fat cells. This means that you need to keep taking folate, as your body can’t develop a reserve. People release excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins in their urine. The causes of folate deficiency include: Diet A diet low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals is the main cause of folate deficiency. In addition, overcooking your food can sometimes destroy the vitamins. Folate levels in your body can become low in just a few weeks if you don’t eat enough folate-rich foods. Disease Conditions that affect absorption in the gastrointestinal tract can cause folate deficiencies. They include: • • • certain types of • severe Genetics Some people have a genetic mutation that hinders their body from properly and efficiently converting dietary or supplemental folate to its usable form, Medication side effects Certain medications can cause folate de...

Folate is a B vitamin that your body needs to work properly. Folate is especially important for people who are pregnant. Folate deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t get enough folate. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, mouth sores and neurological issues. Folate deficiency can be prevented by eating a diet rich in foods that contain folate. Overview What is folate deficiency? Folate deficiency is when your blood lacks the amount of vitamin B9 (folate) it needs to function properly. Folate deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms and complications. What is folate? Folate is a B vitamin found naturally in many of the foods you eat. These foods include leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, beans, peas, seafood, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry and grains. Your body needs folate to make new What is folic acid? Folic acid is a manmade (synthetic) form of folate. Your body can’t store large amounts of natural folate. But your body can easily absorb folic acid. As a result, it’s added to some of the foods you eat. Grains such as rice, bread, pasta and some cereals are enriched (fortified) with folic acid. Folic acid is also available as a What complications can occur due to folate deficiency? When you don’t get enough folate, several complications can occur. Folate deficiency during pregnancy Folate deficiency during pregnancy can cause severe complications. Folate is important for the growth of the fetus's brain and spinal cord. Folate deficiency can cause severe birth defects ...

• Overview   • • Theory   • Epidemiology • Etiology • Case history • Diagnosis   • Approach • History and exam • Investigations • Differentials • Screening • Management   • Approach • Treatment algorithm • Prevention • Patient discussions • Follow up   • Monitoring • Complications • Prognosis • Resources   • Guidelines • Images and videos • • Patient leaflets • Calculators • Evidence Folate deficiency classically presents as megaloblastic anemia, with absence of neurologic signs. Common causes include malabsorption, drugs and toxins, states of increased demand, and dietary deficiency. Hereditary folate malabsorption and other inborn errors of folate metabolism are rare causes. In early disease, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume are normal. In severe disease, patients present with symptomatic anemia and pancytopenia. Maternal folate deficiency is associated with fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of low serum folate and/or low red blood cell folate. Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are helpful in situations of diagnostic difficulty. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency must be ruled out before initiating folic acid therapy, as the therapy may mask neurologic manifestations of underlying vitamin B12 deficiency. Oral folic acid is usually considered sufficient therapy. Underlying cause should be identified and treated. Food fortification programs instituted in some countries have decreased the incidence of folate deficie...

Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin. Anaemia is the general term for having either fewer red blood cells than normal or having an abnormally low amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including: • extreme tiredness • a lack of energy • • a sore and red tongue • mouth ulcers • muscle weakness • problems with your vision • psychological problems, which can range from mild • problems with memory, understanding and judgement Some of these problems can also happen if you have a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate but do not have anaemia. When to see a GP See a GP if you think you may have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. These conditions can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the results of a blood test. It's important for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. This is because although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible. Causes of a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency T...

Anemia is a prevalent condition with a variety of underlying causes. Once the etiology has been established, many forms of anemia can be easily managed by the family physician. Iron deficiency, the most common form of anemia, may be treated orally or, rarely, parenterally. Vitamin B 12 deficiency has traditionally been treated with intramuscular injections, although oral and intranasal preparations are also available. The treatment of folate deficiency is straightforward, relying on oral supplements. Folic acid supplementation is also recommended for women of child-bearing age to reduce their risk of neural tube defects. Current research focuses on folate's role in reducing the risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Anemia is a common clinical syndrome frequently diagnosed and managed by the family physician. The prevalence of anemia in the United States has been reported to be about 29 to 30 cases per 1,000 females of all ages and six cases per 1,000 males under the age of 45, rising to a peak of 18.5 cases per 1,000 men over age 75. Preparation Elemental iron (%) Typical dosage Elemental iron per dose Cost (generic) Ferrous sulfate 20 325 mg three times daily 65 mg $1.33 to 2.42 Ferrous sulfate, exsiccated (Feosol) 30 200 mg three times daily 65 mg 6.94 Ferrous gluconate 12 325 mg three times daily 36 mg 1.68 to 2.16 Ferrous fumarate (Hemocyte) 33 325 mg twice daily 106 mg 9.00 (1.68 to 2.93) A standard daily dosage of 325 mg of ferrous sulfate, in three divided doses...