Folic Acid and Prenatal Vitamins?

Question

If I am takeing Folic Acid, Do I need to take Prenatal vitamins also If I am trying to conceive? I've been told that Prenatal Vitamins already has folic acid in them. Is there such a thing as getting too much folic acid?

Answer 1

OK, regular multivitamins have 400 mcg of folic acid in them. When you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant and/or are breastfeeding, you take prenatal vitamins, which have 800 mcg of folic acid in them (over the counter prenatals). Most prescription prenatal vitamins have 1000 mcg of folic acid in them. And, finally, if it is known that you are suceptable to having children with neural tube defects (spina bifida etc.) you are given much higher doses of folic acid while trying to get pregnant and while pregnant (up to 4000 mcg).

Folic Acid is a B vitamin, so if you take too much, you will just pee it out. The only negative, I believe, is that if you have too much it can mask a B12 deficiency, a not-so-common problem unless you're a vegetarian.

I personally take an over the counter prenatal (800 mcg) and a folic acid supplement (400 mcg) every day. I've told this to multiple OBGYNs and all of them said it was OK. I personally believe, since you just pee out the excess, what's the harm in trying to prevent a neural tube defect?

Of course, if you want professional advice, be sure to ask your doctor. Good luck.

Edited to Add:
MCG = microgram, the weight that folic acid is typically measured.
MG = milligram
1000 micrograms is equal to 1 milligram

Answer 2

i individually take the two! There hasn't been something incorrect with me or the newborn by way of taking one extra dose of Folic Acid. yet communicate along with your physician first in the previous doing that! And the prenatal supplements are great because you get different supplements and nutrition besides! wish this helps! superb needs to you and your infant! :-)

Answer 3

if you are overwt the dosage for folic acid is higher than normal coz of the body area,however if you are an average person that is about 130lbs and 5ft 4-6 inches than the recomended dose is fine....rest you will excrete

Answer 4

ur are only meant 2 have a certian amount of folic acid a day or it can be bad not sure how but its advised gda(guidline daily amount) is about 200mg which is what the doctor /pharmasist proscribe