Folic Acid Anemia

The first thing we need is a basic understanding of Folic Acid Anemia. I hope to give you an explanation as well as a personal glimpse into what it is like to have it. As I said on the index page I will not be giving credit here as that would be impossible. I have collected this information from various sources, source types, and from personal experience as well.

DEFINITION
Folic Acid Anemia is a deficiency of folic acid [folate] which is necessary for normal red blood cell formation and growth and the subsequent decrease in red blood cells [RBC's]. This abnormality causes abnormally large red blood cells called megalocytes when in the bone and megaloblasts when in the bone marrow which is why it may be referred to as megaloblastic anemia.

ETIOLOGY
Folic Acid Anemia can be caused by poor dietary intake of folic acid, chronic alcoholism, malabsorption diseases, and certain medications. It is seen in about four out of every 100,000 people. A continual dietary supply is necessary since folate is not stored by the body. As increased need for folic acid during the third trimester of pregnancy may cause a temporary deficiency. Risk factors include a diet poor in fresh green leafy vegetables, overcooking food, alcoholism, having a history of malabsorption diseases, and pregnancy.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of Folic Acid Anemia can cause discomfort including tiredness, headache, sore mouth and tongue, and pallor or jaundice. In pregnant women, folate deficiency has been associated with neural tube defects [such as spina bifida] in their babies.

TREATMENT
The major objective in treating Folic Acid Anemia is to treat the underlying cause of the anemia. Depending on the cause, it may take adding oral folic acid supplements. These supplements are normally taken on a short term basis until the anemia has been corrected. Lifetime replacement may be necessary if the anemia is caused by loss of absorption by the intestines. In the cases where the anemia is caused by a poor diet, treatment consists of increasing the intake of green leafy vegetables and citrus. Folic Acid Anemia usually responds well to treatment correcting itself in about two months. However, contact your health care provider if symptoms continue.

MY POINT of VIEW
Folic Acid Anemia was diagnosed in the early summer of 1996. I was never told why I had it but I am assuming it is something that requires lifelong treatment since I still take oral supplements.

My diet has never been the greatest but at the same time I don't avoid vegetables like I do fruit. That sounds bad. I don't avoid fruit, I just don't think about it. When I do, I will eat it. And I only indulge in alcohol on rare occasion.

Like everyone else, I suffer from the occasional headache but I don't feel this has anything to do with my having Folic Acid Anemia. I take 400mcg of Folate split into three doses daily. Other than the addition in medicine, I do not have any problems that I am aware of from having this.

2000 UPDATE
What is there to say? I continue to take Folic Acid everyday and have no problems due to this.... that I am aware of. LOL... who can really say why I feel the way I feel.

Is the fatigue caused by this? Or the MS? Or the Fibromyalgia?
Or... well, you get the picture. LOL...

2002 UPDATE
Well, I am no longer taking folic acid and with all the blood they have taken lately I am sure if there was a problem, something would have been said. Sooo... I guess I am no longer deficient in folate.

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You are listening to Memories from the musical Cats, written by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot. I felt this song was a perfect selection
for this site because of the affiliation I feel with Grizabella. Although for her,
it was age and not health issues that changed her, neither of us are who we
were before, on the outside, and it can affect how we feel on the inside.