Folic Acid.

[yeoette]

I want to start taking Folic Acid tablets as I'm about 3 months of TTC. My Doctor wrote out a prescription, which I didn't need as I can buy it over the counter and I didn't have it with me at the time I went in there.
The lady there gave me .5mg strength rather than 5mg that it said on the prescription.
I'm just wandering what everyone else takes?

Thank you!! :)

[giveitago]

Found through an external source

"The Department of Health recommends that every woman who is thinking about pregnancy or is in the first third (trimester) of pregnancy to take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid and eat a folate rich diet to reduce her baby's risk of getting some types of birth defects"

But I have also come across medical journals that state that green tea can absorb folate and therefore it is not recommended after conception - I tend to eliminate it from my diet during the 2WW.

[giveitago]

More info.....

Leafy green vegetables are a good source, so try to have a large bowl of salad daily. Other sources include:

• 11 Brussels sprouts: 127 mcg

• large jacket potato: 39 mcg

• 4 tbsp black eyed beans: 220 mcg

• 7 tbsp bran flakes: 113 mcg

• 25g / 1oz wheat germ: 100 mcg

• 4 spears steamed or boiled asparagus: 88 mcg

• medium sized papaya: 115 mcg.

• 2 spears steamed broccoli: 61 mcg

• large orange: 54 mcg

• large hard-boiled egg: 22 mcg

• 75g / 3oz tinned salmon: 17 mcg

FYI Delicate folic acid in foods is destroyed by overcooking, so cook in a covered pan with the minimum amount of boiling water. Try to eat vegetables lightly steamed, microwaved, or raw.

[kittykatz]

I have a mild form of spina bifida which was found during an unrelated xray. So i have to take 5mg. Also if you have a blood test and are found deficient in folic acid, you are recommended to take a higher dosage also.

There is no way you get get 5mg from diet alone, so it is important for me to have the higher dose supplements. My gyno said the risk of my children getting spina bifida (in potentially a more severe form) is high.

[cheezelz]

DO NOT TAKE 5mg UNLESS YOU HAVE A PRIOR HISTORY OF SPINA BIFIDA!!!

The requirement is 400mcg. So a 0.5mg (500mcg) tablet per day is fine. You will find that most pregnancy vitamin suppliments will have 400-500mcg per dose per day.

[yeoette]

Thank you all so so much!!!!
I have copied and pasted the info so I can keep it in my 'pregnancy book'...yes I am a little OTT with some things but everytime I get some info, something important I should know I'm printing it out so I can easily refer back to it.
I was planning to go and buy 5mg tablets so thank you for pointing out that this is definitely not necessary!!!! :hugs:

[WitchHazel]

I took 5mg per day, and I do not have a direct history of spina bifida. However, I do have a family history of neural tube problems, which is why I take a heavy dosage. I spoke to my chemist though who said there is no harm in taking the bigger dose, even if you are not considered high risk.

[liveinhope]

I suppose everyone is different but I have perfect levels of folic acid and the DR still put me on 5mg...........

[kas3]

I take an Elevit each day... not sure what mg they have...

regards
kas

[phineas]

Vegemite is also an excellent source of folate ( I think :confused:)

[Livy]

I would probably take your Doctor's advice as he/she may have prescribed 5mg for a reason. I took 1mg per day prior to conception and then 500mcg throughout my pregnancy (in a pregnancy multi). Good luck with it all ;)