folate level greater than 20 means

Folate measurements are used in the diagnosis and management of megaloblastic anemia. The reference range of the plasma folate level varies by age, as follows : Adults – 2-20 ng/mL, 2-20 μg/L, or 4.5-45.3 nmol/L. Children – 5-21 ng/mL, 5-21 μg/L, or 11.3-47.6 nmol/L.

What does a high folate level indicate?

High values

High levels of folate in the blood may mean that you eat a diet rich in folate or folic acid, take vitamins, or take folic acid pills. Consuming more folate than the body needs does not cause problems. High folate levels can also mean a vitamin B12 deficiency. Body cells need vitamin B12 to use folate.

What folate level is too high?

Keep in mind that most people don’t consume more than 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day unless they’re taking supplements in high doses. In fact, according to the NIH, it’s estimated that only about 5% of men and women ages 51–70 take more than this amount per day, mostly due to the use of supplements ( 1 ).

What diseases cause high folate levels?

There are several other medical conditions that may increase folic acid needs including anyone taking medications for epilepsy, Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease; anyone with kidney disease who is on dialysis; anyone with liver, sickle cell, or celiac diseases.

Can too much folate be harmful?

You can’t get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount. Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage.

What is a normal folate level for a woman?

The normal range is 2.7 to 17.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 6.12 to 38.52 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).

Why is my B12 and folate high?

However, if someone has a condition such as chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm, diabetes, heart failure, obesity, AIDS, or severe liver disease, then that person may have an increased vitamin B12 level. Ingesting estrogens, vitamin C or vitamin A can also cause high B12 levels.

What are the side effects of folate?

Common folic acid side effects may include:
nausea, loss of appetite;bloating, gas, stomach pain;bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;confusion, trouble concentrating;sleep problems;depression; or.feeling excited or irritable.

Does folic acid make you gain weight?

There is no evidence that people with adequate blood levels of folic acid will gain weight if they take supplements. However, weight loss is one possible side effect of a folate deficiency.

Is folate the same as B12?

Vitamin B12 is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells, and it helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body’s genetic material. Vitamin B12 works closely with vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid, to help make red blood cells and to help iron work better in the body.

Is folate a vitamin B?

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9, water-soluble and naturally found in many foods. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively.