Folic Acid Deficiency / Anaemia

[BeccyB]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed yesterday with a folic acid deficiency and have been prescribed folic acid supplements. I'm wondering if the change is likely to affect my blood glucose as I know folic acid affects red blood cells. Does anybody have any experience with this, or perhaps anaemia which I believe has very similar effects on the body?

Thanks for reading,
Beccy

ps. the symptoms are very similar to under-active thyroid - so if you've been tested but told you thyroid is fine it might be worth asking to have your folate level checked...

 

[noblehead]

Hi @BeccyB, not sure if the supplements will have an effect on your bg levels, I'll tag a lady who might know as she recently had a baby and may have taken Folic Acid @azure

 

[azure]

Thanks, @noblehead

Hi @BeccyB

I took 5mg of folic acid for many months. It didn't affect my blood sugar at all as far as I'm aware, nor did it have any other side effects that I noticed. My HbA1C remained around the same level and improved when I became pregnant and my control was tighter. So that shows the folic acid didn't affect it.

Hope that reassures you

 

[BeccyB]

Thanks @azure , that's great news! And thanks to @noblehead too for the 'referral'

 

[Curly604]

Hi, I have also been recently prescribed the same (not pregnant) been taking them for approx 2 weeks and have noticed no impact on blood sugars at all

 

[Anaelena]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed yesterday with a folic acid deficiency and have been prescribed folic acid supplements. I'm wondering if the change is likely to affect my blood glucose as I know folic acid affects red blood cells. Does anybody have any experience with this, or perhaps anaemia which I believe has very similar effects on the body?

Thanks for reading,
Beccy

ps. the symptoms are very similar to under-active thyroid - so if you've been tested but told you thyroid is fine it might be worth asking to have your folate level checked...

There are some studies ( I am not saying it does or doesn't for the naysayers ) just pointing out the facts that show it may even help some people control and lower their blood sugars. I have anemia and supplement as well. I don't notice any changes unless I stop taking the supplements.

I was part of a study while pregnant that was testing for differences in blood sugar control, folic acid usage and the effects of them on the fetuses of type 1 pregnant women . I can say from my personal experience that control from my first pregnancy and my second was much different. With second being much more strict and easier to control.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

There is currently no strong scientific evidence that folate supplementation lowers blood sugar. There is some evidence that it can slightly reduce the risk of stroke, though. I am going to ask my doctor about it, thanks for posting, BeccyB.

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/

 

[BeccyB]

Thanks ladies, I might look at some of the studies at the weekend, could be something interesting...

@Curly604 have you seen an improvement in your original symptoms yet? I can't find anything online to tell me how long they take to start working and I'm desperate to get better now I know what the problem is!!

 

[Curly604]

They gave it to me as levels of the vitamin was low and I had issues with numbness and tingly feet - this has now significantly decreased so I think it is having a positive impact

 

[BeccyB]

I guess I just need to be a bit more patient then

 

[Curly604]

It did take a good 10days for me to notice the difference but it has helped so I hope it will benefit you too