folic acid

[Tapanac]

I have just had blood test results and they are all over the place. Haven’t had chance to talk to GP yet as weekend, but I know one of them is extremely low folic acid

I looked up Google and it said that folic acid deficiency could lead to chronic anaemia and causes lack of red blood cells

My question is would anyone have any idea as to whether my pills I take cause this? I’m on apixaban twice a day, bisoprolol, flecainide, levythyroxine snd co- amilofruse

Looking up Google as well it said too little folic acid could lead to heart attack, stroke, but also too much could do the same?????!?!?

I know in the main none of us are qualified, but grateful for any opinions or experience

thank you and all have a nice Christmas and new year

[meadfoot]

My folic acid is often low and I need folic acid tablets then a blood test to see if its back in range. It seems a quite regular thing for me in recent years. I take beta blocker, anti coagulant and flecainide. Guess for me its a case of ageing and heart meds.

[Tapanac in reply to meadfoot]

probably age with me as well (78) but blood tests are usually ok I think

Thank you for answering

Pat

[Autumn_Leaves]

How has your diet been recently? Do you eat leafy green vegetables regularly? I had a test for serum folate earlier this year (via GP) and I was actually above the upper range. I don’t take any supplements containing folic acid, but I eat leafy greens every day as well as fruit, nuts & seeds as well as beans & legumes regularly. These foods are high in folates, especially leafy greens. I know some people are wary of too much vitamin K1 when they are on anticoagulants but the advice is to eat consistent amounts daily and not to avoid altogether.

It’s always better to correct a deficiency and supplements are actually good at this. That’s their sole purpose. I don’t treat supplements as medicines and I always think it’s better to use a food first approach. The folic acid in supplements is not the same as the folate found in food sources either, and you also miss out on the many phytonutrients contained in the entire food matrix whereas a supplement contains high amounts of just one isolated chemical. As you are deficient it makes sense to use a supplement, at least for now, and also if you avoid dietary sources of folate in your typical diet, but I would also suggest upping your dietary intake if you can.

PS Dr Google isn’t the most reliable source of health information! My haematologist told me serum folate above the normal range was of no concern and that she also has high folate levels. She said it was indicative of a healthy diet. However … this was due entirely to dietary intake eating normal portions of normal foods, not from folic acid supplements so maybe there is a difference. But I also have to say that I trust my haematologist more than Dr Google! Dr Google writes articles for websites and isn’t even a real doctor, so bear that in mind …

[Tapanac in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Thank you for your reply.

We haven’t been having a healthy diet lately as I have had covid then a covid induced lung/ chest infection then covid induced pneumonia.

I am thankfully over the worst, but feeling so tired all the time plus it messed up my afib, I couldn’t be bothered to cook properly and hubby not well either, so I’ve been eating rubbish food

I will try and eat more veg. We do normally as I like curly kale, cabbage and broccoli snd spinach salad etc.

You’ve made me feel I must try harder. Thank you

Pat

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Tapanac]

By all means use a supplement if you are poorly! I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having an awful time of it lately. It’s not easy to cook, shop, plan meals etc when you’re below par, especially as it’s been quite a long time, and if both of you are struggling it’s particularly challenging.

Assuming you have a microwave, those little bags of frozen mixed vegetables are very handy. Even if you have to rely on a ready meal, you could try adding mixing some frozen veg in eg frozen spinach or cauliflower if it’s a curry or some frozen veg on the side if it’s something like a lasagne eg broccoli or good old-fashioned garden peas. That way there’s no preparation and no waste, just use as much as you need. All this assumes you have a freezer, of course. Bags of mixed salad leaves are also good but can be a bit expensive for some people and have a short shelf life. One tip to make it last longer is to put a piece of kitchen paper in the packet after opening it. It seems to keep it in better condition for a little longer.

I don’t believe anyone should be judged for not eating a perfect diet. We all have to live in the real world with our very real challenges, whether it’s with a chronic condition, limited income, or in an area without access to affordable healthy options. So don’t blame yourself for your low folate results. Your body has taken a blow and has been working hard to recover, which probably means that it’s been using up a lot of its reserves. I hope you feel better soon.

[Tapanac in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

thank you so much for your nice thoughts. Off to get frozen bags of veg tomorrow

X

[secondtry]

I would have that test retaken in 3 months if you continue to recuperate from your problems irrespective as to what supplements you are given in the meantime.

[Tapanac]

ok thank you

[Qualipop]

Folic acid is always given alongside iron during pregnancy. I believe it helps with absorption .

[Tapanac in reply to Qualipop]

hee hee at 78 I’m way passed pregnancy. Thank you for your reply. I have a phone call due sometime today from my GP presumably about all the things wrong with my blood tests