Folic Acid: Too Much?

OneHotMama89

So I visited my doctor today to get a renewal on my prescription. While I was there I figured I might as well get the preconception appointment out of the way. I asked him if the medication I'm on currently is safe while TTC and during pregnancy, and then told him DH and I are TTC. He told me to start taking a prenatal, and I told him I was. Then he also told me I should be taking an additional folic acid supplement. 5mg to be exact. I work in a pharmacy and this is a prescription-only strength. It just seems like a lot of folic acid, given that there's not a history of neural tube defects in my family. Plus, a lot of cereals etc are fortified with it, so all said and done I'll be getting more than 6mg of folic acid a day with the PNV, supplement, and fortified foods.

I know I should've asked him then why he's recommending so much, but I didn't. I'm just curious as to whether any of you are taking that much folic acid and if so, why?

krollet88

That does seem like overkill. My doctor recommended 800mcg when I mentioned we were going to start TTC. 

lovelife11

Wow that does seem high. My doctor recommend 1mg ( or 1000 mcg) daily. Keep in mind that your body can only absorb so much at one time too. But as far as being too much... I haven't a clue. Is there another doctor in the office that you can get a second opinion from?

 GL 

OneHotMama89

lovelife11:

Wow that does seem high. My doctor recommend 1mg ( or 1000 mcg) daily. Keep in mind that your body can only absorb so much at one time too. But as far as being too much... I haven't a clue. Is there another doctor in the office that you can get a second opinion from?

 GL 

I don't think it's too much in the sense that it's dangerous to have that much. A quick google search says that folic acid is water soluble and so your body just flushes out anything excess (not that I did in depth research on it). I just think it's a lot to recommend for TTC with no history of neural tube defects. Either way, one advantage of working in a pharmacy is I was able to pop over to work and write up a quick fax asking for clarification and an rx if he does indeed think I should be taking that much (so much easier than trying to actually get him on the phone!).

mrslaughman

I was actually just about to ask the same question. I had my preconception appointment today as well. My doctor also told me to take an additional folic acid supplement. However, she told me 4 mg. I later thought about it and wondered if it was too much (my PNV has 800mcg). 

LovestruckAJ

krollet88:

That does seem like overkill. My doctor recommended 800mcg when I mentioned we were going to start TTC. 

This.

CDMay2006

My dr. recommended a total 1000ug of folate (from food) and folic acid (from supplements) daily, and most of the women on my local board were advised to take 800ug.

KitT.Kat

I also got a RX for additional folic acid but it's part of what I like to call my "pill cocktail" I have been taking since September to hopefully skip out on Pre-E and HELLP this time around. Is there a history of either of those problems in your family?

doggylovr

I have to take additional folic acid because I have MTHFR.  My dr also prescribes additoinal folic acid to anyone who isn't underweight as they put it.  You pee out what you don't use anyways...but if you are concerned, just ask:-)

Lightdrwr

My doctor recommends 1 - 2 milligrams a day in addition to the prenatal vitamin content.

OneHotMama89

Well I spoke to my doctor (and one of the pharmacists I work with) and they both said that 5mg in addition to the PNV and food would be fine. My doctor said he just likes to play it safe when women are TTC and that's why he recommends the additional supplement. He said after the first month or so of pregnancy what was in PNV would be fine. He called in an rx for the 5mg, so I'm now taking that in addition to the PNV.