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Folic acid for anemia

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Emily230
Emily230

I have been having very heavy periods for extending amounts of time so my doctor ordered a blood test. A reception rung today saying they’ve review my blood test and I have a prescription waiting for me and to take 1 a day then go back in six months for a repeat blood test. I have been given folic acid? I am confused as I thought this was for pregnancy? I have been doing a google search and have come across folate Deficiency however would this have been caused by the periods or is folate deficiency caused by poor diet? I am on no other medications at present. Thank you as I’m very confused by this all. 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • jenny19687
    jenny19687 Emily230

    Posted

    Often when women are low in iron their periods become heavier. I suspect that your iron and folate has come back low and low folate is the cause of the low iron. 

    Low folate and or b12 can cause low iron. Low iron causes heavy periods. 

    I would however ever book an appointment with the doctor to discuss or at least obtain a copy of your test results. Low folate is usually diet or digestion/absorption related. 

  • sally_14743
    sally_14743 Emily230

    Posted

    HI 

    it’s called megoblastic anaemia when you are deficient in folic acid , it interferes with the formation of red blood cells .. so your body may have sufficient iron stores but can’t form healthy red blood cells without enough folic acid .. but Jenny is right this deficiency isn’t caused usually by heavy periods it is often caused by stomach issues with absorption .. i was tested for coeliac etc.. 

    its a lot easier to take folic acid than iron .. a positive in this ..

  • Emily230
    Emily230

    Posted

    I have had symptoms for IBS for the last 2-3 years, I’ve just never got it checked out, I will rebook an appointment so we can get to the bottom of this. Thank you guys. 
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