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Avatar universal

Folic Acid Dosage

I am currently living in Bangkok, Thailand with my Thai wife. I am an American, so i am not really familiar with their medical standards out here. We would like to come back and have her at an US hospital, but the visa is not completed yet...

Anyways, my wife is now 11 weeks pregnant and we have had her blood taken, and everything comes back perfectly. However they prescribed her folic acid, and from my understanding this is normal.

However, on the internet everywhere it says 0.6 mg to 0.8 mg and a maximum of 1 mg. They also say it in mcg, which 1000 mcg is 1 mg. The problem is, the doctor prescribed her 5 mg tablets.

This is her first baby, and our family does not have a history of birth defects. I am really confused as to if she should be taking this much, or if this was done in error. We have held off at this point, and she is taking the other medication, (for nausea and morning sickness), and a all in one pregnancy vitamin pill.

Can someone please advise if 5mg is normal or too much?

I am new at being a father, and any comments, suggestions, or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Below are the blood results::

HEMATOLOGY
Parameters / Tests Results Unit Reference Range
WBC 7.46 x 10^3/cumm 4.00 -10.00
RBC 4.13 X 10^6/cumm 4.00 – 5.50
HGB (L) 11.60 g/dL 12.00 – 16.00
HCT 36.20 % 36.00 – 48.00
MCV 87.7 fL 80.0 – 99.0
MCH 28.1 pg 27.0 – 31.0
MCHC (L) 32.0 g/dL 33.0 – 37.0
RDW 12.4 % 11.5 – 14.5
PLT 293 X 10^3/cumm 140.0 – 450.0
MPV 10.20 fL 7.20 – 11.10
Pit Smear Adequate   (Adequate)
       
WBC Differential      
Neutrophils 50 % 40.00 – 74.00
Lymphocyte 41 % 19.00 – 48.00
Monocyte 8 % 3.00 – 9.00
Lab # 150233166    Printed:  03/12/2015 10:12

IMMUNOLOGY
Parameters / Tests Results Unit Reference Range
VDRL (Serum) Non-reactive   (Non-reactive)
HbA1C (EDTA-blood)      
HbA1C (EDTA-blood) 5.31 % 4.80 – 5.90
Anti HIV (Clotted Blood)      
Anti HIV : Interpret Result Negative    
HBsAg / ELISA      
HBsAg : Interpret Result Negative    
Lab # 150233166    Printed:  03/12/2015 10:04

Urinalysis/Routine
Parameters / Tests Results Unit Reference Range
Urine centrifuge Centrifuged 10 ml. urine (Centrifuge 10 ml)
Color Pale yellow   (Straw-amber)
Transparency Clear   (Clear)
Sp. Gr. 1.010   (1.003 – 1.030)
pH 7.0   5.0 – 8.0
Protein Negative   (Negative)
Glucose Negative   (Negative)
Ketones Negative   (Negative)
Bilirubin Negative   (Negative)
Blood Negative   (Negative)
Nitrite Negative   (Negative)
Urobilinogen Negative Micro mol/L (< 17 micro mol/L)
Leukocyte esterase Negative   (Negative)
WBC Negative /HPF  
RBC Negative /HPF  
Squamous epithelial cell Negative /HPF  
Lab # 150233166    Printed:  03/12/2015 09:41
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am on 5mg due to taking seizure meds. Folic acid is good while pregnant. I wouldn't worry it is beneficial not harmful. I am also on pre natal so technically getting more of it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree on the posts above. Maybe she has been low and her body might not give enough folic to the baby that's why her dr prescribed her to take 5mg. They may also vary mg/dosage based on the weight. Folic is very essential in first trimester. I have low blood even before i got pregnant so i take 2 types of vitamins that has folic. One is multivitamins+folic then the other one is folic/folate alone. Taking folic will also prevent anemia in latter part of pregnancy. You can also ask your dr to be sure or have another dr for second opinion.
Congrats to your new bundle!(:
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
They prescribe according to weight if you are heavier hey usually prescribe you 5mg another reason if you didn't start taking it early on in pregnancy they like you to take it to give an extra boost to baby.  That's what I been told anyway...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She may have been low herself. Maybe they want to make sure she gets enough for both. If you are worried go back and ask why it was so high or try a different doctor. Please dont worry too much. Her body will flush out the excess with no side effects
Helpful - 0
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