Anaemia due to folic acid deficiency

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Anaemia due to folic acid deficiency

JoAnn Guest

Dec 07, 2004 17:02 PST

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Anaemia due to folic acid deficiency

Reviewed by Dr Patrick Davey, cardiologist and Dr Rachel Green,

consultant haematologist

 

Why does a lack of folic acid cause anaemia?

For most people, brown bread and vegetables are the main source of folic

acid.

 

Anaemia is a deficiency of red blood cells, which can lead to a lack of

oxygen-carrying ability, causing unusual tiredness. Red blood cells are

manufactured in the bone marrow and have a life expectancy of

approximately four months.

 

Anaemia occurs either through the reduced production of red blood cells

or an increased loss of red blood cells.

 

To produce red blood cells, the body needs, among other things, iron,

vitamin B12 and folic acid (one of the B group of vitamins). If there is

a lack of one or more of these ingredients anaemia will develop.

 

If a person is suffering from a lack of folic acid, they may have

intestinal problems as well as symptoms of anaemia.

 

What are red blood cells?

 

Red blood cells are the cells that circulate in the blood plasma

(fluid). Through its pumping action, the heart propels the blood around

the body through the arteries.

 

The red blood cells obtain oxygen in the lungs and carry it to all the

body's cells.

 

The cells use the oxygen to fuel the combustion (burning) of sugar and

fat that produces the body's energy.

 

During the use of the muscles, carbon dioxide is created as a waste

product.

It binds itself to the red blood cells that have delivered their load of

oxygen. The carbon dioxide is then transported back to the lungs where

it is exchanged for fresh oxygen by breathing.

 

What are the causes of folic acid deficiency?

 

Eating a diet deficient in folic acid. This is seen especially in

alcoholics and drug addicts but also exists in elderly people eating a

poor diet. In some cases, it is found in teenagers living on

" junk-food " .

 

 

There is an increased need for folic acid when there are periods of

rapid growth in childhood and during pregnancy. Folic acid also helps to

protect the foetus against spina bifida.

 

 

Some kinds of hereditary anaemia such as haemolytic anaemia are caused

by the body breaking down red cells very quickly.

 

To compensate for this, the body produces more blood cells in response

and uses up all its stores of folic acid.

 

 

Some drugs or medicine such as anti-epileptic drugs and some antibiotics

can interfere with the body's normal metabolism of folic acid. Pregnant

women should always check with their doctor before taking any kind of

medication during pregnancy.

 

Chronic dialysis for kidney patients where the folic acid is removed by

the dialysis.

 

Diseases of the small intestine that cause a reduced absorption of

nutrients, for example gluten intolerance (coeliac disease).

 

 

What are the symptoms of anaemia due to lack of folic acid?

 

In an otherwise healthy person, symptoms seldom appear before the

haemoglobin concentration falls below 10g/dl of blood.

 

The first symptoms will be loss of energy.

 

Shortness of breath and dizziness.

 

If the anaemia is severe, it can result in angina, headache and leg

pains (intermittent claudication).

 

In addition there are a series of symptoms that are unique to folic acid

deficiency:

a red, irritated and possibly shiny, tongue.

a reduced sense of taste.

indigestion.

changed bowel movements and often diarrhoea.

 

The symptoms from the intestines are stronger in folic acid rather than

B12 deficiency.

 

in contrast to B12 deficiency there are no symptoms in the nervous

system. However, it is possible to suffer from both B12 and folic acid

deficiency at the same time.

 

What can be done to avoid folic acid deficiency?

 

Eat a varied diet.

Good sources of folic acid include unprocessed beans, oatmeal,

mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, spinach and kale.

 

Women who are planning to become pregnant should talk to their

pharmacist about a folic acid supplement during pregnancy, and before

conception.

 

What special care should be taken during pregnancy?

 

To prevent spina bifida in their child, women planning a pregnancy

should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before becoming pregnant

and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If a mother has previously

had a pregnancy complicated by spina bifida, the dose should be

increased. The doctor will be able to advise.

 

 

 

How does the doctor diagnose anaemia due to a lack of folic acid?

 

First the doctor must be sure that the patient suffers from anaemia and

will probably request a blood test.

 

With the result of the blood test an analysis of the red blood cells

will usually be included.

 

In cases of folic acid deficiency, the red blood cells will be the usual

colour but larger than normal.

 

Low levels of folic acid will be registered in the blood.

 

 

What can the naturopathic doctor do?

 

Examine the patient and prescribe appropriate treatment to deal with the

causes of the illness. By removing the initial cause and taking the

required quantities of vitamins supplements, the problem can be cured.

 

 

Prescribe a supplement of folic acid. Folic acid is taken in tablet form

once a day and has few side effects.

It should be taken for at least four months. Folic acid is only

continued if the underlying condition cannot be corrected.

 

 

Based on a text by Dr Flemming Anderson

Last updated 01.02.2002

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JoAnn Guest

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DietaryTi-

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