Anyone on 5mg of folic acid?

[anz07]

From recurrent miscarriage investigations, I have recently been diagnosed with the MTHFR gene mutation (heterozygous c.1286A>C) and my clinic have now prescribed 5mg of folic acid.

Has anyone else been prescribed the same thing? My understanding is that, because of the gene mutation, I am unable to absorb folic acid and need to switch to folate. I am very confused by all this folic acid/folate talk. As soon as someone tells me that they have also been prescribed 5mg of folic acid by their clinic and that all is fine, someone else tells me that folic acid should be avoided at all costs! 🤯

Help! Any advice?!

[MiniS5]

Hi Anz, I was prescribed 5mg folic acid (I’ve just finished taking it as I’m now 12 weeks) it wasn’t for the same reasons as you but both my hospital consulant and miscarriage consultant agreed it should be prescribed because of my recurrent loss and age! Xx

[anz07 in reply to MiniS5]

Thank you MiniS5, that is really useful to know! xx

[hoping2021]

I have the same issue. Do you take it in addition to the multivitamins? I am taking pregnacare max, and now consultant saying I need to take 5mg of folic acid because of this mutation. However, not sure whether to take both or just the 5mg folic acid if that makes sense?

[anz07 in reply to hoping2021]

Thanks hoping2021, that is good to know. I was taking multivitamins as part of the Pregnacare tablets I was on but will have to stop these once I switch to the increased dose of 5mg folic acid (which is due to arrive tomorrow). I'm assuming we should take Vitamin B and/or D alongside the increased dose. Have asked my clinic and am awaiting a response - will let you know what they say xx

[hoping2021 in reply to anz07]

Thank you so much... I’d really appreciate that.

[anz07 in reply to hoping2021]

No problem! I just had a reply from them and they said:

'It's fine to take the higher dose folic acid with additional vitD 1000iu daily. Alternatively, you can continue with the Pregnacare and take the higher dose folic acid as well. Either is fine.'

Sounds too simplistic to me so may do some more digging xx

[hoping2021 in reply to anz07]

Amazing. Your clinic sound wonderful. I’ve emailed mine twice and no response and I’m still waiting for the folic acid prescription. I’m 13dp5dt today and am slightly anxious I’m not taking the extra folic acid yet. I hope it doesn’t affect the outcome.

[anz07 in reply to hoping2021]

My clinic are either wonderful or horrific, it swings in roundabouts. 😂 Amazing that you're 13dp5dt! I hope you are feeling okay? To be honest, this whole folic acid thing is a bit up in the air. I think it's best we take it but, let's face it, around 40% of women carry the MTHFR gene mutation and have no idea about it. Most pregnant women will not be on 5mg of folic acid as they simply wouldn't have a clue that it was necessary and they go onto have healthy live births! So fear not and look after yourself xx

[hoping2021 in reply to anz07]

Thank you.... I’m feeling ok. Listening to soothing music to keep my nerves calm. Such a good point about most people not knowing they are carriers.

Have you started your cycle yet?

[anz07 in reply to hoping2021]

It's definitely advisable to keep as calm as possible (although, from my experience, most of the time that feels impossible!!). I hope you get your happy ending soon. 🤞🏼

My meds are arriving tomorrow and I should start my medicated FET cycle for my fourth transfer next week (if my period shows up when it's meant to!). And so the slow process of insanity begins again...!

Wishing you all the best for the coming days and weeks. Look after yourself xx

[hoping2021 in reply to anz07]

Thank you so much. Your reassurance with the folic acid has helped me so much... thank you.

Good luck with your cycle... I’m keeping everything crossed for us all on here... such an amazing bunch of people xxx

Ps: my consultants’ secretary emailed back saying that he said pregnacare and 5mg folic acid together is ok. So same info as you.

[Cinderella5]

I have heterozygous MTHFR and I got prescribed 5mg of folic acid. I read that folate was the best to take but clinic assured me the 5mg was fine and have taken it throughout my twin pregnancy.xx

[hoping2021 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you. May I also ask What multivitamins are you taking? I’ve been taking pregnacare Max,.. so should I add take the 5mg folic acid in addition to this?

[Cinderella5 in reply to hoping2021]

I asked about that and they said it was fine to take both in a previous pregnancy which we unfortunately lost. With this one I was only taking high dose vit D in prep for this and stayed on that until the midwife gave me the NHS multivitamins which have Vit C & D along with the 400ug of folic acid.xxx

[anz07 in reply to Cinderella5]

Hello, sorry me again! Could I ask what dose of Vitamin D you were on? and was it Vitamin D3? my clinic have recommended 1000iu of Vitamin D but I have seen you can buy higher doses xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to anz07]

I took 2000iu of vit D (it was only D not D3)....live in Scotland so dont see the sun much!!🤣xx

[anz07 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you, that is much appreciated! Haha I don't live in Scotland but think I'll have a look for 2000iu...I don't hold much hope for the rest of the UK basking in sunshine for months on end!! xx

[anz07 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you Cinderella5, that is really helpful. Fingers crossed it makes some difference xx

[Arlie123]

This article is quite helpful cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/mt...

It looks like folic acid is the only type to protect against neural tube defects in baby. So I guess for now folic acid is what you want x

[hoping2021 in reply to Arlie123]

Thanks so much for sharing this. The best explained article I have read.

[anz07 in reply to Arlie123]

Thank you for sharing Arlie123, that is so helpful! xx

[raxi]

I was prescribed 5mg folic acid before DE transfer and took up untill 13 weeks, this was my clinics norm, and this my first ivf cycle x

[anz07 in reply to raxi]

Thanks raxi, that's good to know. If only all clinics prescribed this straight away! xx

[Edk0]

I was prescribed 5mg due to my weight however, after reading it starts with an egg and following a few qualified fertility nutritionists I decided to change from folic acid to folate. Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate and is said to have better bioavailability than folic acid. One of the reasons I changed was to remove as many potential harmful chemicals from my diet and household items in order to conceive. Its not always possible to do so I make changes where possible. Also be careful with prenatal vitamins, if they're one a day they may not contain enough vitamins needed. If you can afford it look for a fertility nutritionist who can advise on suplements to take.

[anz07 in reply to Edk0]

Thank you Edk0, that is good to know. I am rather confused by what vitamins I should be taking. I have asked my clinic but, if they don't come up with anything promising, I may well have a look for a fertility nutritionist xx

[Edk0 in reply to anz07]

Most NHS clinics will just advise vit D and folic acid. The supplements you need are based on your fertility issues but most will support those with no issues. Some nutritionist on Instagram offer a more affordable options such as fertility nutrition courses as some of the one to one sessions are more expensive. We just used advice from some we follow on insta and from the book it starts with an egg. There's so much info out there just make sure it's all evidence based and not individuals advertising certain companies. Good luck xx

[lawrins]

Hey dear, I'm also in the same situation. I’m prescribed to take 6 x 5mg a week. I was originally prescribed that by the rheumy. After that I started getting it through the GP when it became shared care. I suppose that you might need to ask your rheumy to specify 6 tablets a week so that the GP has to prescribe that much. Only then you can decide for yourself how much to actually take. It is really helpful. Fingers crossed it makes some difference xx😜

[Lowamh]

I can’t help with the gene but I took folate instead of folic acid whilst TTC. My friends sister is big on nutrition and said Folate is absorbed by the body better than folic acid. I carried on taking folate until about 9 weeks pregnant and was then prescribed 5mg folic acid as it was a twin pregnancy. I took a higher dose of the folate and switched to folic acid at 12 weeks as I didn’t think I’d get folate on prescription. Not sure if this helps. Good luck x