Summary about Disease
Folic acid deficiency, also known as folate deficiency, occurs when the body doesn't have enough folic acid (vitamin B9). Folic acid is crucial for cell growth and division, particularly in red blood cells. Deficiency can lead to various health problems, most notably a type of anemia.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be subtle at first and may include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Pale skin
Irritability
Shortness of breath
Mouth sores
Swollen tongue (glossitis)
Problems with concentration
Diarrhea
Tingling, prickling, or numbness in hands and feet
Causes
Folic acid deficiency is primarily caused by:
Inadequate dietary intake: Not eating enough foods rich in folate.
Malabsorption: Conditions that interfere with the absorption of folate in the small intestine (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn's disease).
Certain medications: Some drugs can interfere with folate absorption or metabolism (e.g., methotrexate, phenytoin).
Increased folate requirements: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and certain medical conditions (e.g., hemolytic anemia) increase the body's need for folate.
Alcohol abuse: Alcohol can interfere with folate absorption and utilization.
Medicine Used
The primary treatment is folic acid supplementation, usually in the form of oral tablets. Dosage varies depending on the severity of the deficiency. In some cases, if oral absorption is impaired, folate may be administered by injection.
Is Communicable
No, folic acid deficiency is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Eat a balanced diet: Include plenty of folate-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, beans, and fortified grains.
Supplementation: Consider taking a folic acid supplement, especially if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement.
Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with folate absorption.
Medication review: If you are taking medications that can interfere with folate, discuss with your doctor whether you need to take a folic acid supplement.
Address underlying conditions: If malabsorption is the cause, treat the underlying condition (e.g., celiac disease).
How long does an outbreak last?
Folic acid deficiency is not an outbreak, and the term does not apply. It is a chronic condition that develops over time due to insufficient folate levels. Supplementation improves blood levels within weeks, but it can take several months to fully replenish the body's stores of folate and for symptoms to resolve.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves:
Medical history and physical exam: To assess symptoms and risk factors.
Blood tests: Specifically, a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia and a serum folate level to measure the amount of folate in the blood. Red blood cell folate level is also tested, as it can reflect long-term folate status better than serum levels.
Other tests: In some cases, additional tests may be done to rule out other causes of anemia or to assess for malabsorption.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms can vary greatly:
Early stages: Often asymptomatic.
Weeks to months: Mild symptoms such as fatigue and irritability may develop.
Months to years: More severe symptoms such as anemia, mouth sores, and neurological problems may appear if the deficiency is not addressed.
Important Considerations
Pregnancy: Adequate folate intake is crucial during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
Masking B12 deficiency: Folic acid supplementation can mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to irreversible neurological damage. Therefore, it is important to rule out B12 deficiency before treating folate deficiency, especially in older adults.
Drug interactions: Folic acid can interact with certain medications, so it is important to discuss with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Fortified foods: Many foods are now fortified with folic acid, which has helped to reduce the incidence of folate deficiency.
Individuals with MTHFR gene mutations: These individuals may need to take a special form of folate called methylfolate, as they have difficulty converting folic acid into its active form.