methyl folate and folic acid dosage

[Pigi]

Dears,

I’m worried. After so many years of struggle and many miscarriages, I got pregnant with twins🤗. However I got confused, since my doctor told me that I need high dose of folic acid - 5 mg (5000 micrograms because of twins).

I have MTHFR homizygote mutation and since many years ago I was told that I should take active folic acid. Currently I’m taking Metafolin (Solgar)…

I’m so affraid to make any mistake, so I’d like to check with you - is dosage for folic acid and methyl folate the same? Is 1000 micrograms of folic acid the same as 1000 micrograms of active -methyl folate?? I asked my gynecologist…but still didn’t get the answer…

Please let me know what you think until I rceive the answer from my dr.

Thank you so much in advance.

Love to all of you, dear warriors❤️🙏

Pigi

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely, congratulations!! That's really wonderful news. 1000mcg of Metafolin (aka folate) should normally be plenty for pregnancy...the only reason your doctor may recommend a bit more is because you're carrying twins so they may want you to take a little extra. 1000 mcg of folic acid would for you, in practice, be less than 1000mcg of Metafolin, since your body doesn't convert the folic acid to methyl folate very efficiently. If it were me, I would stay with your current dosage of Metafolin (not switch to high dose folic acid) and only increase it if your doctor thinks the twin pregnancy necessitates more than 1000mcg of folate.

[Pigi in reply to soccerkt6]

Thank you dear soccerkt6❤️

Your message means so much to me🙏

Dr just texted me…and you were completely right! Sending you lots of love❤️❤️❤️

[Pigi]

Here is the update… My gynecologist texted me that 5mg is only the dose for folic acid (not for active folate) in multiple pregnancies. In my case, since I’m MTHFR homozygote - I will take 1200 mcg (micrograms) of active folate. Dr even thinks 1000 would do good, but because it is pregnancy with twins - then the dose can be higher.

Sorry if it was tmi…but after all I’ve gone through in the past, I’m very frightened.

Currently I’m 6w4d…and currently I have two hematomas…there was spotting on and off…really struggle to relax…

🙏❤️

[Wishinandahopin]

hi Lovely! Congratulations!

I am also MTHFR homozygous. Yeah you def don’t want take folic acid-most doctors are really behind on this research. I was prescribed 5mg Metafolin by my reproductive immunologist. From my understanding of this metafolin and folic acid are the same amount but methylfolate you don’t need as much.

That said, I’m pregnant and I take Thorne 5mg methylfolate (every day until 12 weeks and every other day since 12 weeks- I’m now 20 weeks). It’s better to take too much than too little and your body will just flush out the unnecessary amount above what you need.

Hope that helps and wishing you all the best with your pregnancy!!

[Wishinandahopin in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Just want to add to this - I also had hematomas and it is scary! I took extra progesterone and also took alpha lipoic acid which helped and I stopped bleeding by 8 weeks.

Are you on blood thinners for the MTHFR?

[Pigi in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Yes I am, I’m having Clexane…and thank you for your answer. I just wanted to check with you, is Thorne methylfolate 5mg? (miligrams?) I’m so surprised that doctors are being inconsistant and not confusing😔 this is so important…

Thanks for the advice, my friend also told me about alpha lipoc acid!! I will ask about it.

Sending you love and wishing you all the best♥️

[Wishinandahopin in reply to Pigi]

Thorne do different amounts but the one I have is 5mg. They also do a 1mg.

yes most doctors are not up on this gene mutation and it’s affects. I found the MTHFR; TTC, pregnancy and loss group on Facebook very helpful.

Wishing you all the best too! Xx

[Pigi]

Sorry, one more comment…I take metafolin - which is active form of folate (calcium - L - methylfolate, Solgar is producer). I will try to find Thorne, because it is in higher dose, and as you said it is better to take more than less folate. Oh, I’d love so much if Dr explained all that to me. She seems as she doesn’t care too much about it…