How much folic acid should I take?

[kris71]

How much folic acid should you take if you're trying to get pregnant? My prenatal vitamin has 1000 mcg's (micrograms) but I have been reading conflicting things about how much you should take. Some sites say 400 mcg and some say 400 mg (milligrams). That is a HUGE difference as 1 mg = 1000 mcg so if it's 400 mg i should be taking 4000 mcg. Hope this makes sense.

[Marietta2000]

I take elevit, same as I took before, during, and after my two pregnancies.  It contains 800mcg.  

[mlb1234]

I just checked - my prenatal has 800mcg and I also take an extra 800mcg when I remember.

[mlb1234]

For pregnancy I think 400mcg is recommended at the minimum.  You actually end up getting more from your diet since all enriched bread products have folic acid in them.  You can take a ton of folic acid with no negative side effects.  My first RE said ladies who have had a child with spina bifida take 4mg or more will no bad effects.  It is pretty safe.  I think the 400mg was a typo though or mislabel???

[Hopefulcb]

My Dr. prescribed 5 mg plus I take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg, so I guess all together I'm taking 5.4 mg.  I think 400 mg is way too high.  Perhaps it's supposed to be 4 mg??

[berrykkiss]

1000 mcg should be fine I think if it is in your prescription prenatals. But I have never seen any site mentioning 400 mg. I am going for IVF this month and I am taking 800 mcg.

[Kricket212]

I have a prescription for it.  The bottle doesn't same the mg though. Sorry. :-(

[ummansoor]

My doctor told me 400 mcg. Then incrase it to 800 after pregnancy.