What Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Having too little folate (vitamin B9) in your blood causes folic acid deficiency anemia.
Folate is necessary for your body to make new red blood cells. Your body needs red blood cells to carry oxygen to your organs. Not having enough red blood cells causes a condition called anemia, which can make you feel weak and tired.
Your baby may be at higher risk of developing serious birth defects like spina bifida if you have folic acid deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Spina bifida causes the baby’s spinal column to be malformed.
If you’re folic acid deficient, taking supplements to increase your folic acid level can reduce your risk of developing anemia. What’s more: Experts at Harvard Medical School say that getting enough folic acid can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease.
What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also called B9. Your body loses B9 when you sweat and urinate. And your body can’t store it, so you need this vitamin daily.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include:
- fatigue
- mouth sores
- gray hair
- swollen tongue
- poor growth (also among the chief symptoms of malnutrition)
Once anemia occurs, you might experience the following:
- fatigue
- dizziness
- feeling cold
- irritability
- headache
- difficulty breathing
- pale skin
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- difficulty concentrating
Who Is at Risk for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Factors that increase your likelihood of developing this condition include:
- eating overcooked foods
- consuming a vitamin-poor diet
- heavy alcohol drinking (alcohol interferes with folate absorption)
- medical conditions (like sickle cell disease)
- medications
- pregnancy
