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- Folate is important in the formation of red blood cells, and is commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Folate deficiency is often found in alcoholics, people with a poor diet, and in people who overcook their food. Some medications interfere with the absorption of folate.
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- Blood tests show megaloblastic anemia -- blood count is extremely low, and red blood cells are enlarged.
- Inflamed tongue
- Poor appetite
- Diarrhea
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- Folate deficiency is seen most often in alcoholics and in people who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.
- Medicines such as phenytoin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and sulfasalazine can interfere with folate absorption in the intestines, leading to folate deficiency.
- Pregnant women, people with hemolytic anemia, and people with certain skin diseases, need more folate than normal. They can become folate-deficient unless treated with supplemental folate.
- Patients on dialysis can also develop a folate deficiency.
- The liver stores enough folate to last 2-3 months.
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- Red blood cell folate -- a blood test that measures the level of folate in the body
- Blood tests show anemia (low blood counts)
- Red blood cells are much bigger than normal.
- A blood specialist can look at the blood and see certain other changes.
- Bone marrow biopsy can be done to help make the diagnosis, but it is usually not needed
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- Folate deficiency is treated with oral folate -- 1mg. per day.
- Blood counts return to normal within 2 months.
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- A healthy diet will help prevent folate deficiency. Folate is found in fruits and vegetables, especially in citrus and green leafy vegetables.
- It is also found in beans, legumes, wheat bran, shellfish, pork, poultry, and liver.
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