Guest guest Posted March 28, 2004 Report Share Posted March 28, 2004 Hi, My name is Lynne. I had WLS on 12/23/02 & have lost 122 lbs so far (started at 378). I am 8 weeks pg, thanks to an awesome RE, a little Clomid, and IUI. I am my ob/gyn's first pg patient that has had WLS. My regular doctor had me start taking prenatals when I was thinking about getting pg & has me taking an extra 800 mcg/day. For a total of 1200 mcg/day. This is my 2nd child, I got pg with my first at 330 lbs - so I am 80+ lbs lighter this time around. I will try my best to be an active member of this group, but hope you don't mind when I am a long-term lurker!! Lynne Mother to Isabella (7/27/01) edd 11/4/04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2004 Report Share Posted April 27, 2004 > Im not on any extra Folic Acid. My PCP and OB said that what was in my prenatals was enough. My OB told me the same thing. After finding out I was pregnant, I had to wait four weeks to see my OB because he wouldn't see me until I was 8 weeks. My surgeon told me before I got pregnant that I shouldn't take my B12 complex vitamin when I was pregnant because it had too much Vitamin A in it. Anyway, at my first OB appointment, my Dr. told me that I didn't need the extra folic acid because the prenatals had enough in them and he doesn't know of any studies that have shown a malabsorption of folic acid. So, all I'm taking now is one prenatal vitamin, an iron suplement (Chromagen), calcium, and my monthly B12 shot. Mommy to Duel 5/28/97 and Caitlin 1/13/99 Baby #3 Edd 10/11/04 (16 weeks!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2004 Report Share Posted July 4, 2004 > Hey Candace! > I don't know the answer to the " can you take too much folic acid " > question.. seems I read someone say that there was a problem if you > did, but I think it was an outrageous amount.. definately a question > for the doc!!!!! I was told to take 5mg (NOT the usual micrograms) Because of a genetic disorder that they found. My sister was also newly pregnant (with out health ins. also in a very small town w/o an ob just PCP who never heard of this gene) and since I got the gene from both of my parents there was a good chance she has this also. When I mentioned this to him he said it was a good idea for her to go on this high dose of folic also just in case and if she did not need that much her body would pass it and it would not hurt her or the baby. The usual dose is like 1mg or 18mcg I think so you can take 5x the amount with out it being toxic. I hope this helps - Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Im sorry to say that I don't know the limits on mg's but some of you are talking about mg, others are talking about mcg's. I take 1mg/1,000 mcg of folic acid daily. Last month when getting my script renewed, the doctor mistakingly wrote it out for 4mg, he was in a hurry and didn't have time to re- write the script, but told me to cut the tablet up into fours...and to mention it to the pharmacist. The second shift pharmacist phoned my home and said that he'd have to call the doctor because folic acid only came in 1mg...and that the dr had written out a 'lethal' amount. I told him what I told the first shift pharmacist and he offered to cut the tablets up for me. Anyhow, I'm hoping that the 200mg you spoke of is actually 2,000mcg/2mg. Otherwise it would be 200,000 mcg of folic acid and I can't imagine anyone for any reason taking that many. Good luck in Detroit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 4mg is not leathal I take 5mg (not mcg) a day through the prescription of my doctor. - Diane > Im sorry to say that I don't know the limits on mg's but some of you > are talking about mg, others are talking about mcg's. I take > 1mg/1,000 mcg of folic acid daily. > Last month when getting my script renewed, the doctor mistakingly > wrote it out for 4mg, he was in a hurry and didn't have time to re- > write the script, but told me to cut the tablet up into fours...and > to mention it to the pharmacist. > The second shift pharmacist phoned my home and said that he'd have to > call the doctor because folic acid only came in 1mg...and that the dr > had written out a 'lethal' amount. I told him what I told the first > shift pharmacist and he offered to cut the tablets up for me. > > Anyhow, I'm hoping that the 200mg you spoke of is actually > 2,000mcg/2mg. Otherwise it would be 200,000 mcg of folic acid and I > can't imagine anyone for any reason taking that many. > > Good luck > in Detroit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 I don't even take folic acid. I was taking it and it was making me have blackouts and the doc said to get off of it. Be very careful taking folic acid. D. Texas Lap WLS 4-18-03 -104 pounds Pregnant with 2nd child! ;-) ~Home Interiors & Gifts Consultant~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 Candace, Here is your answer to the question about Folic Acid...NO KNOWN RISK OF TOXICITY...read on... SOURCES Barley, beans, beets, brewer's yeast, calves' liver, dark green leafy vegetables, endive, egg yolks, fruits, garbanzo beans, lentils, orange juice, peas, rice, soybeans, split peas, sprouts, wheat germ, whole-wheat bread, yeast. --------------------------------- DESCRIPTION Folic acid, a member of the B-complex vitamins, is a water-soluble vitamin that is unstable in heat and light. Dietary supplies of folic acid are in the polyglutamate form which is then converted in the wall of the small intestine to the monoglutamate form before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Folic acid is synthesized by intestinal bacteria in the large intestine (colon), and absorption occurs in the upper part of the small intestine and is stored in the liver. Folic acid can be chemically synthesized for industrial production. --------------------------------- FUNCTIONS Folic acid acts as a coenzyme with vitamins C and B12 in numerous essential metabolic reactions. It acts as a carbon carrier in the formation of heme (iron containing protein in hemoglobin) and is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Folic acid is required to make " SAMe " (S-adenosyl methionine). It is involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids, is essential for proper growth. 1/2 of all women are deficient in folic acid. Women of child-bearing years should consider folic acid supplementation to avoid the possibilities of bearing children with neural tube defects1 and birth defects2. Helps reduce homocysteine levels (amino acid that encourages arterial plaque buildup). Helps prevent spina bifida, cleft palate and cleft lip formation.3,4 --------------------------------- SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY Abdominal pains, anemia, bleeding gums, chronic liver disease, constipation, diarrhea, epilepsy, forgetfulness, gas, GI disturbances, glossitis, graying hair, irritability, lack of energy, lesions at the corners of the mouth, mental sluggishness, neural tube defects, paleness, poor growth, premature birth, red blood cells do not develop properly, sleeping disorders, sore throat, sore tongue, sporadic diarrhea, toxemia, weakness, weight loss. Elderly people are deficient in folic acid, either because a poor diet or poor absorption. Chronic liver disease sufferers and epileptics on sodium phenytoin are deficient in folic acid. --------------------------------- SIGNS OF TOXICITY There is no known toxicity for folic acid and studies have shown that 15 mg/day (40 times the RDA) for five years had no adverse effects.5 Prolonged use of high doses can produce folacin crystals in the kidneys. May cause uricosuria. 1,500 mcg/day can cause abdominal distension, appetite loss, flatulence, nausea. --------------------------------- SIDE EFFECTS (Possible) Bright yellow urine, diarrhea, fever, skin rash. --------------------------------- CONTRAINDICATIONS Cancer patients using methotrexate. See drug interactions. Pernicious anemia, anticonvulsants, anemic. --------------------------------- DRUG INTERACTIONS Folic acid deficiencies may occur in those undergoing chemotherapy from drugs such as methotrexate, trimethoprim, and pyrimethamine. Oral contraceptives, alcohol, cholestyramine, barbiturates, diphenylhydantoin, sulfasalazine, and ant-acids can interfere with the absorption of folic acid. Folic acid may reduced plasma-phenytoin concentration levels. The following drugs can decrease the effect of folic acid: analgesics, anticonvulsants, cortisones, methotrexate, oral contraceptives, pyrimethamine, quinine, sulfasalazine or other sulfa drugs, trimethoprim, trimterene. Folic acid decreases the effect of: anticonvulsants, phenytoin, pyrimethamine. Chloramphenicol can produce a folic acid deficiency. Tobacco decreases the absorption of folic acid. Chronic alcohol consumption can produce a folic acid deficiency. REFERENCES 1. Daly L.E., Kirke P.N., Molloy A., et al. Folate levels and neural tube defects. JAMA 1995; 274: 1698-1702. 2. Shaw G.M., O'Malley C.D., Wasserman C.R., et al. Maternal periconceptional use of multivitamins and reduced risk for conotruncal heart defects and limb deficiencies among offspring. Am J Med Genetics 1995; 59: 536-545. 3. Tolarova M. Periconceptional supplementation with vitamins and folic acid to prevent recurrence of cleft lip. Lancet 1982; ii: 217. 4. Shaw G.M., Lammer E.J., Wasserman C.R., et al. Risks of orofacial clefts in children born to women using multivitamins containing folic acid periconceptionially. Lancet 1995; 345:393-396. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 , thanks for this great info. Question though, if Folic Acid is absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine, which for me is gone, am I not absorbing the 1200 mcg's I'm taking every day? I'm a first timer and am over 35, so I am terrified about birth defects. Anybody have any ideas about our absorbtion? open RNY 4/20/01 TT 9/11/02 EDD 2/3/05 > Candace, > > Here is your answer to the question about Folic Acid...NO KNOWN RISK OF TOXICITY...read on... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 I was wondering the same thing when I read that. With the high dosage I am taking though (5mg NOT mcg) my levels seem to be good so I must be absorbing enough from somewhere. I'm a first timer and 37 so I worry too as well as having the MTHFR heterozygos gene I definately need the Folic. - Diane > > Candace, > > > > Here is your answer to the question about Folic Acid...NO KNOWN > RISK OF TOXICITY...read on... > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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