Diagnosed with low folate, anyone else, scared to conceive

[lazybum09]

Hi there
I've been diagnosed with low folate and hoping to start trying in April is anyone else in the same position?

I've got to start on 5mg folic acid prescribed by my dr.

Just scared that if I got pregnant now my levels would be too low.

This would be baby number 3

Thanks for reading 😁

 

[lazybum09]

Anyone? 😣

 

[wrapunzel]

NOOOOOO

Get tested for MTHFR. Do it. Now. You will regret it if you don't

 

[lazybum09]

What's mthfr?

 

[wrapunzel]

Very confusing. Basically it means your body can't make use of artificial folate (folic acid) along with many other vitamins. You do NOT want to risk having it and taking a folic acid supplement while TTC/pregnant, it can result in the same serious midline defects as a folate deficiency.

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
https://mthfr.net/

 

[lazybum09]

But wouldn't I have been diagnosed with this before now I've had 2 healthy pregnancies so far...

 

[wrapunzel]

No... Most people who have been diagnosed found out just like this, from hearing about it online, then getting genetic testing privately, then bringing that to a specialist who is actually educated about it.

Doctors will try to treat every symptom but if they don't even know this issue exists how can they diagnose it?

It's up to you though of course. I think the usual MTHFR presentation is to have extremely high levels of folate because it isn't being absorbed. But I've heard of people showing as deficient too so I couldn't help but share the info.

Sorry if I upset you

 

[lazybum09]

No, you haven't upset me it's good to hear about these things. Thank you, good luck on your ttc journey x

 

[wrapunzel]

Oh I am glad! I felt like a bit of a prat. Good luck in your journey as well.

 

[All Girls]

Had bloods done a few weeks ago as i have pernicious anemia and they did bloods before giving me my injection as I am constantly tired. I get b12 injections monthly or every 3 months with 15 years. My folic acid came back low so i was put on the 5mg too. It was 3 this time but after my third child it was at 1. I went on the high dose then as well.

 

[All Girls]

Meant to say with my results, other things were not what they should have been either I got bloods to check for celiac disease.

 

[wantingagirl]

I am at a recurrent loss clinic just awaiting the appt hopefully they will test me for MTHFR. Hopefully it's negative but so worried about it.

Is there hope at the end of the tunnel to be treated if I do?