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Suggest Dosage For Folic Acid

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Posted on Thu, 18 Feb 2016
Question: Hi, I am planning to get pregnant and had an visit to the obstetrician. She advised me folic acid supplements (MHR Methycobalamin 1500 mcg Pyridoxine Hydrocholoride 20mg & Folic acid 5mg tablets). I read on internet the RDA for folic acid for pregnant women is 400 mcg. Isn't the dosage recommended to me by doctor too high? Is it safe to have this table daily? I don't have any previous family history of any defect and am totally fit.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Zenab Tambawala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
it is safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Welcome to HCM,

The usual recommended dose is 400 microgram. But in some patients with diabetes, or other
problems you need a higher dose of 5 mg.

These are water soluble and cause no harm and are recommended in women trying to conceive.

Please take them daily as advised.

Hope this helps.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Zenab Tambawala (8 hours later)
Thanks Doctor for the reply. I am 29 years old and planning for the first baby. So even though I have no other problem like diabetes etc still I can have this supplement during pregnancy too?
Apart from this, doctor also recommended Zincovit syrup and ShelCal (Cal and Vit D3) to be taken daily. Are they also safe to be taken before and during pregnancy?

I just wanted to have second opinion on these supplements and hence approached HCM.

Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Zenab Tambawala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Folic acid is the one that is a must

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will tell you in more detail.
When you are trying to conceive Folic acid is a vitamin that has to be started atleast 3 months in advance to prevent the fetus developing neural tube defects ( defect in brain and spine). The folic acid has been proven to prevent such defects. And the folic acid is continued atleast till the first 12 weeks during pregnancy as that's when maximum brain development of fetus occurs.
All the other vitamins are known to be supportive to pregnancy but not for a specific disease. So its up to you if you would take them or not, but Folic acid is the one that is a must in women trying to have a baby.
Zincovit has the same vitamins B group and Zinc in addition, so it will be a repetition of vitamins and you could skip that. Calcium and Vit D are usually given to pregnant women after 5 months of pregnancy till the 9th month as that's when the babies bone formation is maximum, so at present if you do not have a documented vitamin D deficiency you could avoid the calcium and vit d.
Hope this helps you understand the vitamins .
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Zenab Tambawala (12 hours later)
Thanks a lot for the detailed clarification Doctor!

I would also like to ask your about the recommended diet during the first trimester.It is usually suggested by family and friends not to have things which are known to produce heat such as papaya,dry fruit, jagery etc.How true is this belief? However, during the second trimester no such restrictions are there on the food habits.Similarly, during last trimester it is recommended to have lots of ghee.Though no such things have been mentioned on the online tutorials but i wanted to have a doctor's consultation regarding the same.Please clarify, what to have and what to avoid during all the three trimesters.

We get so many suggestions and advices from near and dear ones during this phase, which are actually not true,your insight on the same would really help me understand how to proceed.Thanks in advance!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Zenab Tambawala (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
no fixed diet

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Yes, the family and friends usually have a lot of opinions some of which are very strong. They feel papaya and pineapple to be avoided in first trimester as they may cause abortion. But none of this has been scientifically proven up till now.
You could avoid papaya and pineapple for he same reason.
But dry fruits and jaggery are good for your health and a very good source of essential nutrients and vitamins.
Nutritious healthy food rich in iron, calcium and vitamins is recommended in all trimester.The oily rich food , especially ghee is advised in the hope that the baby weight increases but excess of just one food group is not advisable.
Have a balance of carbohydrate, protein and fats.
Eat well cooked and fresh food and everything should be ok.
Hope this helps.
Regards


Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Zenab Tambawala

OBGYN

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 837 Questions

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Suggest Dosage For Folic Acid

Brief Answer: it is safe Detailed Answer: Hi there, Welcome to HCM, The usual recommended dose is 400 microgram. But in some patients with diabetes, or other problems you need a higher dose of 5 mg. These are water soluble and cause no harm and are recommended in women trying to conceive. Please take them daily as advised. Hope this helps. Regards.