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How Long Should Folic Acid Be Taken While Trying To Conceive While Diabetic?
Question: I have Type 2 Diabetes and will be trying to conceive in the next few months. Ive read I will need to take a Folic Acid Supplement of 5mg daily, but how long is it safe to take this for? And when should I start taking it? I have read about Folic Acid possibly masking a Vitamin B12 deficiency is this something I need to worry about. Also what levels do my HBA1c need to be before conceiving, fasting and after food? Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Folic acid is safe
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Folic acid 5 mg supplementation is advised in type 2 diabetic patients who are trying to conceive in order to prevent congenital anomalies in the fetus.
The tablet is completely safe and should be taken starting from 3 months prior to planning conception and continued till the end of third month of pregnancy.
Folic acid masks vitamin B12 deficiency in anemic person.
So, if you are anemic, then vitamin B12 levels should be done prior to starting folic acid.
HbA1C levels should be less than 7 prior to planning conception.
Blood sugar levels fasting should be between 70-100 mg/dl and post meals blood sugar levels should be less than 140 mg/dl.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
OBGYN
Maternal and fetal medicine specialist
Folic acid is safe
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Folic acid 5 mg supplementation is advised in type 2 diabetic patients who are trying to conceive in order to prevent congenital anomalies in the fetus.
The tablet is completely safe and should be taken starting from 3 months prior to planning conception and continued till the end of third month of pregnancy.
Folic acid masks vitamin B12 deficiency in anemic person.
So, if you are anemic, then vitamin B12 levels should be done prior to starting folic acid.
HbA1C levels should be less than 7 prior to planning conception.
Blood sugar levels fasting should be between 70-100 mg/dl and post meals blood sugar levels should be less than 140 mg/dl.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
OBGYN
Maternal and fetal medicine specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much I really appreciate your answer. Can I ask is the 5mg Folic acid recommended to take daily?
Brief Answer:
recommendation is 400 mcg of folic acid.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
the daily recommendation is 400 mcg of folic acid.
However, no tablet comes in such a dosage, hence 5 mg tablet is given.
There is no harm in taking excess dose, as folic acid is water soluble and the excess than need of the body is excreted from the urine.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
recommendation is 400 mcg of folic acid.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
the daily recommendation is 400 mcg of folic acid.
However, no tablet comes in such a dosage, hence 5 mg tablet is given.
There is no harm in taking excess dose, as folic acid is water soluble and the excess than need of the body is excreted from the urine.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Dr. Deepti Verma
OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Practicing since :2009
Answered : 5064 Questions
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