Iron + Folic Acid Supplement

Pippy1976

I don't think this is the correct forum for my question but undoubtedly a Mod will move it to the right place.

I usually take an iron supplement. It's been working good for me thus far. I started taking Iron with Folic Acid recently. Also working fine until I read the back of the box and it says it's not recommended for non-pregnant women unless your doctor tells you to do so.

I'm a little puzzled because I thought it was recommended for women who were thinking about getting pregnant, not as yet pregnant, to take folic acid. Anyway, I'm planning on getting pregnant in the true sense of the word but it could happen at any time. Should I stop taking this supplement? What harm will it do me to continue taking it whilst not being pregnant, if any at all?

I'll revert back to the straight-up iron tablet if it's recommended to do so. Any advice would really help.

p

InFrame

Hi Pippy, I'm not sure why anything suitable for a pregnant woman should be unsuitable for a non-pregnant one! Anyway, folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin that does not stay in your body longer than a day. So it's impossible to overdose on it (unlike vitamin A) so it should be fine. Perhaps the warning relates to some other ingredient in the supplement.

Sandypants

Normally they recommend women trying for a baby to start taking folic acid before...its probably one of those warnings to cover the manufactures own back. Do a quick google research just for piece of mind.

Nonoperational

Why are you regularly taking iron? Are you anaemic?

Pippy1976

I wouldn't say anaemic but I would be low in iron. I suffer quite a bit with light-headedness and dizzy spells, falling down sometimes. When I take iron I don't have these symptoms.

Nonoperational

You should really get a blood count done once just to see where you stand...