Folate of Folic?

Question

Hi all,I found out I'm pregnant this week which is amazing news for me and my future hubby, although I didn't plan being 11 weeks pregnant walking down the aisle in September! Anyhoo, I'm seeing a lot of debates around folic vs folate and wondered if any of you more seasoned ladies could give me advice. I saw my GP yesterday to let them know. It wasn't a good experience and he didn't seem to know much. I had to prompt him to even discuss folic acid. He said "oh just wait until you've seen the midwife in a few weeks". I explained I should be taking something now during the baby's crucial development stage. We've just moved to this little village a month ago, so I'm missing my regular GP. I work with a lot of Americans and they tend to warn you off folic acid and are big fans of folate: they don't know I'm pregnant but I've heard them with many others who have been. I've been taking 800mcg of folate so far. Any help you can provide this first time Mum to be is greatly appreciated.

Answer

I take a multivitamin that has both methylfolate and folic acid. It's called Pregnacare Max. As long as you are taking something its fine. You only really need to take folate if you have the MTHFR gene mutation which means you can't process folic acid.

They can't find a cause for my MCs so that why I take it, just in case. Try not to worry. Xx

Answer

Taking folic acid as soon as you find out you're pregnant (and ideally while ttc) has been standard advice in the NHS for quite some time now. I'm surprised your gp isn't up to date on this. I'd consider switching if that's a possibility.

Answer

My husband & I have found some studies linking very high levels of folic acid to autism. Your body can convert folic acid to folate (which is what you actually need) but not super effectively-- a lot of folic acid is left just floating around. Most of the foods I enjoy just happen to be high in folate, and I had my blood tested & have great folate levels pre-prenatals, so I'm taking some folic acid in vitamin form but not the 800mg daily that's in most prenatals. Certainly do err on the side of getting enough folic acid/folate because it's super important, but dietary sources are great. Maybe get your levels tested!

Folate of Folic?

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