{"id":633684,"date":"2025-10-14T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633684"},"modified":"2025-09-29T15:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T19:32:49","slug":"too-much-folic-acid-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/too-much-folic-acid-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take too much folic acid?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Folate is vitamin B9. Found in leafy greens, citrus fruits, and other foods, this water-soluble B vitamin helps the body make red blood cells and supports cell growth and function. Although folate naturally occurs in some foods and is added to others, some people need extra, so they take <\/span>folic acid supplements<\/span><\/a>, a synthetic form of folate. Pregnant women need to be especially mindful about getting enough folate because it can help reduce the risk of congenital disorders such as spina bifida in developing fetuses. However, it\u2019s important to take only the recommended amount, and only for the recommended length of time, because it <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> possible to get too much of a good thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Save up to 80% on Folic acid with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tFolic acid 1 mg (90 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.99\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.99\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Folic acid prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take too much folic acid?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt is possible to consume too much folic acid, likely from taking in too much daily rather than one big dose,\u201d says <\/span>Maria D\u2019Iorio<\/span><\/a>, MD, an OB-GYN with Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s most likely to occur from taking high-dose supplements for extended periods of time and not from just eating foods that are high in folate, says <\/span>Sandi Hamilton<\/span><\/a>, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with Novant Health. For example, one possible way to consume too much folic acid is by taking a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid in addition to another folic acid supplement. In other words, more isn\u2019t always better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The body absorbs folic acid into the bloodstream through the intestines. The liver then converts it into other forms of folate. Folic acid is water-soluble, meaning that if you <\/span>take too much<\/span><\/a>, it will be excreted in your urine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The amount of folate needed varies. Most adults need <\/span>400 micrograms (mcg<\/span><\/a>) daily, although breastfeeding mothers need <\/span>500 mcg<\/span><\/a> daily. <\/span>Pregnant people need even more folate<\/span><\/a>: <\/span>600 mcg<\/span><\/a> daily is recommended to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in developing babies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Occasionally, someone will have a <\/span>folic acid deficienc<\/span><\/a>y because they don\u2019t eat enough foods that contain folate or they don\u2019t absorb folic acid well, due to a health condition such as Crohn\u2019s disease, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or excessive alcohol consumption. In such cases, their healthcare provider might also recommend a <\/span>folic acid supplement<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Others who can benefit from supplementation include people with hyperhomocysteinemia, or high levels of homocysteine in the blood, which is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Children who take <\/span>antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for seizures may need to take folic acid supplements<\/span><\/a> to help control their seizures. <\/span>People taking <\/span><\/a>methotrexate<\/span><\/a> for rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/a> may benefit from taking folic acid to reduce gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The difference between folate and folic acid<\/span><\/h3>\n

Folate is dietary vitamin B. Folic acid is a synthetic form of the vitamin, taken when you can’t get enough from the foods you eat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s generally best for most people to <\/span>get folate from the food they eat<\/span><\/a>. Dietary folate is available in <\/span>many foods<\/span><\/a>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n