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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floridagirl51 on July 20, 2010, at 14:21:23
I just learned that I'm taking 1600mcg of folic acid daily, plus whatever I may consume through my foods. Is this too much? Could it cause any side effects or damage?
Thank you.
Posted by Lao Tzu on July 21, 2010, at 10:38:39
In reply to TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by floridagirl51 on July 20, 2010, at 14:21:23
It depends on whether you're deficient or not. Does it help your depression? This doesn't seem to be a high dose. A lot of people take much more than this without problems, but you have to ask, do you really need that much? One source says that 800mcg per day should be adequate for most people. Do you use folic acid to increase your histamine levels? Some depressives need lots of folic acid because their histamine levels as well as neurotransmitter levels are on the low side. Does 1600mcg really help you with your depression? If it does, stick with it. It shouldn't hurt you, but if you are concerned, ask your doctor and see what he or she says. Some sources say that people who don't get a good response from antidepressant medications could possibly benefit from folate supplementation, but not everybody needs a high dose of folate. Some people are okay with their folate levels that they get from their diet. Other people have low folate and benefit from supplementation. It depends on whether or not you are deficient. It might also be prudent to have your B12 levels checked because B12 and folate work together. If you are anemic, definitely get your levels checked.
Posted by janejane on July 21, 2010, at 11:44:27
In reply to Re: TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by Lao Tzu on July 21, 2010, at 10:38:39
As Lao Tzu suggested, it would be a good idea to get your B12 levels checked. I did some searching, and it looks like high supplement intake can be a problem if you have B12 deficiency. See here:
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=6015&page=273
A more accessible article here (scroll down to safety):
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/fa/
The recommended upper limit for supplements is 1000 mcg, but it's seems possible that you could need more, based on your individual chemistry. Definitely check to make sure you don't have a B12 deficiency, though, since it sounds like symptoms are similar for both. It's a simple blood test.
By the way, I'm not an expert about this at all. I just wanted you to be aware that there could be safety issues at that level, according to the sources I checked. Good luck!
Posted by floridagirl51 on July 22, 2010, at 7:42:23
In reply to TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by floridagirl51 on July 20, 2010, at 14:21:23
Thank you both for your input. I am not and was never taking folic acid for depression and do not suffer from this. I began taking the supplement years ago because I learned that it helps to lower homocysteine levels. Many believe that this is a more important number to control than cholesterol, which is my major medical issue as I do have coronary artery disease. It has done that, from 11 down to 7.
I haven't thought about the amounts I was taking until I recently looked at a couple of my supplement jars and saw that one contained 800mcg, and two others 400 mcg each. I eat a good deal of fruits and vegetables as well so I was wondering if there's such a thing as too much.
Now you both bring up about B12. Are you saying that too much folic could deplete one's B12? I don't know if I am low on that and finding out via a bloodtest right now is not possible until I get insurance (my COBRA just ran out). What would be the symptoms of low B12 levels? I do have sublingual B12 tabs (5,0000 mcg), so I could start taking them more regularly if necessary.
Thanks again.
Posted by janejane on July 22, 2010, at 8:37:46
In reply to Re: TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by floridagirl51 on July 22, 2010, at 7:42:23
I do not know the answers to your questions, but if you go to the articles I linked above, you should be able to get to more info about B12. (The second site would probably be easier to read.) If you're interested in lowering homocysteine, you can also do a search of the archives here to get other ideas, too. (Homocysteine isn't a problem with me, as far as I know, so I never paid much attention to it, but I think I remember reading that TMG can also help.)
That's too bad your COBRA ran out. Did they offer you a conversion plan? When I went on one (years ago) the premium turned out to be less than it was on COBRA, which surprised me. If you don't have any preexisting conditions, an individual plan might be even cheaper.
Posted by floridagirl51 on July 23, 2010, at 11:33:22
In reply to TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by floridagirl51 on July 20, 2010, at 14:21:23
Thanks, janejane, no I wasn't offered a conversion plan, but will certainly ask about it. Unfortunately a separate plan might be out of the question because I did have triple bypass surgery 7 years ago, so I'm sure I'm considered a big pre-existing risk. If only the medicare age was lowered, that could really have helped. Oh well, I wonder if we'll ever really see a 'true' healthcare reform. It doesn't seem so.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2010, at 17:59:36
In reply to TOO MUCH FOLIC ACID??????, posted by floridagirl51 on July 20, 2010, at 14:21:23
> I just learned that I'm taking 1600mcg of folic acid daily, plus whatever I may consume through my foods.
Please remember not to change your posting name without following these steps:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#names
Follow-ups regarding this should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 25, 2010, at 23:37:09
In reply to Re: posting name » floridagirl51, posted by Dr. Bob on July 23, 2010, at 17:59:36
> Follow-ups regarding this should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20100714/msgs/955924.html
Thanks,
Bob
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