Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Macrocytic Anemia
Number of Conditions: 1
Folate Deficiency
Specialty: Hematology
Category: Nutritional Deficiencies and Disorders
Sub-category: Macrocytic Anemia
Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath; pale skin; irritability; weakness; tongue swelling or soreness
Root Cause:
Insufficient folic acid intake or absorption disrupts DNA synthesis, particularly affecting red blood cell production.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
CBC with macrocytic anemia, serum folate levels, and homocysteine levels.
Treatment:
Dietary supplementation with folic acid and addressing underlying causes.
Medications:
Folic acid supplements (1 mg daily) and vitamin B12 supplements if a deficiency is concurrent.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in areas with poor nutrition; incidence is higher in pregnant women and alcoholics.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Alcoholism, pregnancy, malabsorption syndromes, and certain medications (e.g., methotrexate).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; anemia resolves with supplementation.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anemia, neural tube defects in pregnancy, and cardiovascular risks from elevated homocysteine levels.