Symptoms of Folate Deficiency

The following features are indicative of Folate Deficiency:
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • low birth weight premature infants
  • infants with neural tube defects
  • diarrhea
  • oral ulcers
  • megaloblastic anemia
  • seizures
  • blindness
  • cerebellar ataxia

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Common Causes of Folate Deficiency

The following are the most common causes of Folate Deficiency:
  • exposure to ultraviolet light
  • use of tanning beds
  • deficiency of vitamin B-12 hemorrhage
  • kidney dialysis
  • liver disease
  • malabsorption

Other Causes of Folate Deficiency

The following are the less common causes of Folate Deficiency:
  • pregnancy
  • lactation
  • tobacco smoking
  • alcohol consumption

Risk Factors for Folate Deficiency

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Folate Deficiency:
  • poor diet
  • alcoholism
  • malabsorptive disorders

Prevention of Folate Deficiency

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Folate Deficiency. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • intake folic acid rich supplements like green leafy vegetables
  • beans
  • nuts
  • wheat bran
  • mushrooms

Occurrence of Folate Deficiency

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Folate Deficiency cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Rare between 10K - 50K cases

Common Age Group

Folate Deficiency most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged between 20-50 years

Common Gender

Folate Deficiency most commonly occurs in the following gender:
  • Female

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Folate Deficiency

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Folate Deficiency:
  • Blood testing: To detect folic acid deficiency

Doctor for Diagnosis of Folate Deficiency

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Folate Deficiency:
  • Endocrinologist

Complications of Folate Deficiency if untreated

Yes, Folate Deficiency causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Folate Deficiency is left untreated:
  • anemia
  • low levels of white blood cells and platelets

Self-care for Folate Deficiency

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Folate Deficiency:
  • Use of steaming or a microwave oven: Helps to keep more folate content in the cooked foods
  • Eat green leafy vegetables and beans: To cope up with folate deficiency

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Folate Deficiency

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Folate Deficiency:
  • Folic acid rich supplements: To improve the deficiency of folic acid

Time for Treatment of Folate Deficiency

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Folate Deficiency to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Folate Deficiency.
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B12 Deficiency

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