Folic acid deficiency anemia

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Folic acid deficiency anemia

Folic acid deficiency anemia results from lower-than-normal levels of folic acid in the body. It causes symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, a pale appearance, and lightheadedness.

Causes of folic acid deficiency anemia include:

Not getting enough folic acid in the diet.
An increased need for folic acid, as can happen during pregnancy or with certain diseases, such as sickle cell disease.
Difficulty absorbing folic acid.
Certain medications.
Artificial cleansing of the blood (hemodialysis), as is done to treat kidney disease.

Alcoholism is a common cause of folic acid deficiency anemia, as are certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia. Folic acid deficiency anemia is treated by increasing a person's intake of folic acid (folate). With treatment, people usually recover from folic acid deficiency anemia within 2 weeks to 2 months.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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