Folic acid and pregnancy

[what2do]

does anyone know if taking 5mg of folic acid in addition to the 1mg in the pre-natal vitamin can be harmful to the fetus.  This is what my doctor prescribed and she mentioned that it's been her practice to do so for many years and that it's safe.   Most docs in the US only prescribe 1mg, so can anyone shed some light on how much they took during pregnancy and what amount if any is supposedly too much?  Thanks.

[it's ok]

Hi there,
For some reason, many Doctors in Singapore do prescribe 5mg Folic acid for pregnancy.  Generally doses this high would be recommended only for women who have a history of having pregnancies with neural tube defects, or if you have concieved through assisted reproduction. (I really do not see the logic in that one though).  Anyway, to asnwer your question, I was taking 5mg of folic acid in the early stages of pregnancy, as recommended by my Singapore Doctor.  I then moved back to Australia, where I started seeing an OB.  When he asked what medications I was on, I told him of the high dose of folic acid, as well as the fact that I am taking a pre-natal vitamin.  The Doctor said that I could continue taking the higher dosage, as I still had quite a large quantity of them.  He said that it posed no risk to the baby.  So basically I would say not to worry yourself about it.  It does seem unneccesary to have such a high dose, but it will do no harm.
All the best to you.

[I think]

I think the body filters out what it doesn't want.  I'm sure only the amount needed gets absorbed.

Do a web search - you might come across a FAQ or Questions and Answers pregnancy site.

[Pebbles]

Folic acid is one of those vitamins which are water soluble. If you have too much in your body it just gets excreted in your urine.

[what2do]

thanks for all your responses so far.  i'll probably continue to take the 5mg supplement as well since it seems it's okay.  just surprised that most docs here recommend such a higher dose, but then again maybe they have in the past had higher incidences of spina bifida, anencephaly, etc. here in singapore and so the docs are more cautious.

[excess]

most doctors and obgyns follow the recommendations made by the earliest research done into folic acids suppl to prevent neural defects; these were done on the 5mg/day doses. Since these earlier studies, all other studies have shown 500-1000mcg is all that is necessary (easily obtained in a multi). Excess folic acid is not a problem as long as you taking some B vitamins with it (as folic acid is a B vitamin it should be taking with other B vitamins so as not to cause imbalances there); these B's are also easily obtained in your multi. High folic acid levels can cause zinc levels to lower, so it would be a good idea to check to make sure you multi contains zinc as this is a mineral essential to proper growth and development for the baby for the entire pregnancy (not just more important in the first tri like folic acid).

[palm tree]

Thanks for asking that question what2do-as I have been wondering the same thing!  I was prescribed 5mg by my Singapore doctor, also.

[Tandoor]

When I was pregnant and taking folic acid, my three year old son snatched the pill off the counter where I'd placed it while I was getting a glass of water and swollowed it.  (Otherwise all medicines are locked up).  Anyway, I called poison control in the US and was told that it was water soluable, as mentioned above.  Just to rinforce the water woluable bit.