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Is Folic Acid Supplementation Advisable To Treat Vitiligo?
Question: Questions about folic acid.
I suspect I might be low on folic acid. I will be doing a test in the new year. My B12 came back as good after supplementing for nearly 1 year.
I drink alcohol twice a week (beers) and have vitiligo since 15. I read folic acid at 5mg for vitiligo can be very good for results. I have acne on and off contstnatly, increasing grey hairs and feel fatigue often, low sex drive with no erections too.
So I want to increase my folic acid to see if there is any difference, what is the XXXXXXX I can take safley (I want more than 400ug).
Also, I am taking the test next year, how long must I stop taking before doing the test for accurate result?
Thanks
I suspect I might be low on folic acid. I will be doing a test in the new year. My B12 came back as good after supplementing for nearly 1 year.
I drink alcohol twice a week (beers) and have vitiligo since 15. I read folic acid at 5mg for vitiligo can be very good for results. I have acne on and off contstnatly, increasing grey hairs and feel fatigue often, low sex drive with no erections too.
So I want to increase my folic acid to see if there is any difference, what is the XXXXXXX I can take safley (I want more than 400ug).
Also, I am taking the test next year, how long must I stop taking before doing the test for accurate result?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
needs workup before starting foluc acid
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I have gone through your query and being your physician I appreciate your health concerns...
As far as folic acid supplementation for the treatment of vitiligo is concerned I don't think its the right approach. Vitiligo needs to be investigated first . It occurs in diabetes , pernicious anemia and autoimmune diseases.
Pernicious anemia is due to decreased bit b12 levels. So it is not scientific way to start folic acid for vitligo.
As far as your other symptoms are concerned , I don't think these are due to low folic acid levels. Its deficiency presents with anemia ( megaloblastic anemia) . you really need to be examined by a physician before a reasoned conclusion can be drawn.
If I am your attending physician I will get your P. Smear, ESR, RBS and thyroid function tests. I will test you for autoimmune diseases too.
So seeing a physician seems more appropriate rather than taking folic acid without evidence.
As far as alcohol and folic acid relation is concerned, alcohol decreases absorption of folic acid in malnourished individual. If you are otherwise healthy I don't think its going to effect much. Generally , it is advisable to quit alcohol three weeks prior to testing blood.
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX Sultan
needs workup before starting foluc acid
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I have gone through your query and being your physician I appreciate your health concerns...
As far as folic acid supplementation for the treatment of vitiligo is concerned I don't think its the right approach. Vitiligo needs to be investigated first . It occurs in diabetes , pernicious anemia and autoimmune diseases.
Pernicious anemia is due to decreased bit b12 levels. So it is not scientific way to start folic acid for vitligo.
As far as your other symptoms are concerned , I don't think these are due to low folic acid levels. Its deficiency presents with anemia ( megaloblastic anemia) . you really need to be examined by a physician before a reasoned conclusion can be drawn.
If I am your attending physician I will get your P. Smear, ESR, RBS and thyroid function tests. I will test you for autoimmune diseases too.
So seeing a physician seems more appropriate rather than taking folic acid without evidence.
As far as alcohol and folic acid relation is concerned, alcohol decreases absorption of folic acid in malnourished individual. If you are otherwise healthy I don't think its going to effect much. Generally , it is advisable to quit alcohol three weeks prior to testing blood.
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX Sultan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello,
My b12 levels came back ok, but my MCV was 100 earlier this year, after supplementing it went down to 93. Thyroid function is OK and no diabetes. I tried folic acid test but they said i need to re-take as was some error. But I would like to increase my folic acid as I drink alcohol and have vitiligo.
How much can I safley take of folic acid? And how long do I need to stop before I take the test?
Thanks
My b12 levels came back ok, but my MCV was 100 earlier this year, after supplementing it went down to 93. Thyroid function is OK and no diabetes. I tried folic acid test but they said i need to re-take as was some error. But I would like to increase my folic acid as I drink alcohol and have vitiligo.
How much can I safley take of folic acid? And how long do I need to stop before I take the test?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
take upto 1mg per day of folic acid
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I appreciate your follow up...
RDA of folic acid is 400mcg and in an established folic acid deficiency you can take up to 1mg in 24 hrs..it is XXXXXXX dose for males and one should not go beyond it.
Alcohol intake should be avoided three weeks before testing , though it won't affect much if you are in good health.
Hope it answers your concerns
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX Sultan
take upto 1mg per day of folic acid
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I appreciate your follow up...
RDA of folic acid is 400mcg and in an established folic acid deficiency you can take up to 1mg in 24 hrs..it is XXXXXXX dose for males and one should not go beyond it.
Alcohol intake should be avoided three weeks before testing , though it won't affect much if you are in good health.
Hope it answers your concerns
Regards
Dr XXXXXXX Sultan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thanks, I have a multi vitamin with 300mcg in and folic acid alone with 400, so around 800 total I will take each day. Should I avoid taking them 1 week before doing the blood test? Or will this be an issue?
After taking the second dose of folic today, I feel a little more better and slight increase in sex drive.
Also, the few grey hairs and acne could be related to not getting enough folic?
When I drink beers I don't eat anything (although folate is in beer?) but can countered by the alcohol?
I wonder the chance of been low.
Thanks
After taking the second dose of folic today, I feel a little more better and slight increase in sex drive.
Also, the few grey hairs and acne could be related to not getting enough folic?
When I drink beers I don't eat anything (although folate is in beer?) but can countered by the alcohol?
I wonder the chance of been low.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
continue with folic acid supplement and avoid alcohol
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I appreciate your follow up...
Yes you can take these two tabs, as cumulative dose is less than 1 mg...continue with it. Try to add fruits and milk to your diet... I think there is no need to stop taking folate supplement before testing......
Daily intake of folate is necessary to keep it normal range. Since body doesn't store much folic acid like vit b12....
Avoid alcohol one week prior to testing.....
Continue with balanced diet...
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan
continue with folic acid supplement and avoid alcohol
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I appreciate your follow up...
Yes you can take these two tabs, as cumulative dose is less than 1 mg...continue with it. Try to add fruits and milk to your diet... I think there is no need to stop taking folate supplement before testing......
Daily intake of folate is necessary to keep it normal range. Since body doesn't store much folic acid like vit b12....
Avoid alcohol one week prior to testing.....
Continue with balanced diet...
Hope it helps
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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