Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Prenancy Planning / Folic Acid

GF-in-SC

By GF-in-SC
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

GF-in-SC Newbie
GF-in-SC
Posted

Hi,

I was diagnosed with celiac disease 19 years ago, and have been following a mostly gluten-free diet (with occasional slip-ups and accidental glutenings) all this time. I'm 39 now, and my husband I are ready to start a family. I know I have to take folic acid supplements for a while before we start trying to conceive, but for how long? I've been taking a gluten-free prenatal with 1,000 mcgs of folic acid for a month now. Is that enough? Should I be taking additional folic acid to supplement the prenatal vitamins, and how long before we can safely start trying? What else should I be doing to get my body ready? I'm a little freaked out b/c of my age - my clock is ticking so I don't want to wait too long, but I also want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to help my baby be healthy!

Thanks in advance for any advice/reassurance y'all can offer!

A.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


home-based-mom Contributor
home-based-mom
Posted
Hi,

I was diagnosed with celiac disease 19 years ago, and have been following a mostly gluten-free diet (with occasional slip-ups and accidental glutenings) all this time. I'm 39 now, and my husband I are ready to start a family. I know I have to take folic acid supplements for a while before we start trying to conceive, but for how long? I've been taking a gluten-free prenatal with 1,000 mcgs of folic acid for a month now. Is that enough? Should I be taking additional folic acid to supplement the prenatal vitamins, and how long before we can safely start trying? What else should I be doing to get my body ready? I'm a little freaked out b/c of my age - my clock is ticking so I don't want to wait too long, but I also want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to help my baby be healthy!

Thanks in advance for any advice/reassurance y'all can offer!

A.

I *think* you should be just fine to start trying without any additional supplements beyond the prenatal ones. The problems caused by lack of folic acid happen very early in the pregnancy before women realize they are pregnant. By the time they start taking the extra supplements, the damage has been done. But as you already have the folic acid levels up in your body, you should be OK.

I can relate to that "ticking clock" - I was just shy of 39 when my one and only daughter was born. B)

SBW Newbie
SBW
Posted
I *think* you should be just fine to start trying without any additional supplements beyond the prenatal ones. The problems caused by lack of folic acid happen very early in the pregnancy before women realize they are pregnant. By the time they start taking the extra supplements, the damage has been done. But as you already have the folic acid levels up in your body, you should be OK.

I can relate to that "ticking clock" - I was just shy of 39 when my one and only daughter was born. B)

I'm 37, was diagnosed with celiac almost a year ago, and have also recently started taking folic acid because my husband and I would like to start a family. I just saw an article about a study that suggests that folic acid can increase the risk of colon cancer, which I know is more of a risk for people with celiac disease. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

GF-in-SC Newbie
GF-in-SC
Posted
  • Author
I'm 37, was diagnosed with celiac almost a year ago, and have also recently started taking folic acid because my husband and I would like to start a family. I just saw an article about a study that suggests that folic acid can increase the risk of colon cancer, which I know is more of a risk for people with celiac disease. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Oh, great. Like I need something else to worry about! :unsure: I hadn't heard that, about the colon cancer risk. But to me, having a healthy baby is the most important thing, so if the folic acid will help guarantee that, I guess I'll roll the dice and take my chances.

I just found out about the Green Tea thing. I didn't know that it somehow prevents you from absorbing folic acid! I've been drinking tons of green tea energy drinks (I know to lay off the caffeine once I officially start trying to get pregnant, but figured it couldn't hurt to drink them now) - so now I'm worried -- has all the folic acid I've taken so far has been wasted?

Anyone know details about the effects of Green Tea on Folic Acid absorption?

GF-in-SC Newbie
GF-in-SC
Posted
  • Author
I'm 37, was diagnosed with celiac almost a year ago, and have also recently started taking folic acid because my husband and I would like to start a family. I just saw an article about a study that suggests that folic acid can increase the risk of colon cancer, which I know is more of a risk for people with celiac disease. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

I just found this on the American Cancer Society website (empahasis mine): "Several studies that observed large groups of people have found that folic acid may be linked to a lower risk of colon cancer. A large study that tracked nurses in the United States from 1980 to 1994 reported that the women with a high intake of folic acid were much less likely to get colon cancer than those with a lower intake." The page, and more info about Folic acid & cancer is here: Open Original Shared Link

Granted, this page was last updated in 6/07, so there may have been a more recent study that contradicts it, but the ACS seems like a trustworthy enough source to me. <shrug>

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,930
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Mhp
    Newest Member
    Mhp
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      The discovery of the vitamin D receptor in multiple immune cell lineages, such as monocytes, dendritic cells, and activated T cells credits vitamin D with a novel role in modulating immunological functions and its subsequent role in the development or prevention of autoimmune diseases.  The Implication of Vitamin D and Autoimmunity: a Comprehensive Review
    • Wheatwacked
      Bitters for digestion?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Definitely get vitamin D 25(OH)D.  Celiac Disease causes vitamin D deficiency and one of the functions of vitamin D is modulating the genes.  While we can survive with low vitamin D as an adaptation to living in a seasonal environment, the homeostasis is 200 nmol/L.  Vitamin D Receptors are found in nearly every cell with a nucleus,while the highest concentrations are in tissues like the intestine, kidney, parathyroid, and bone.  A cellular communication system, if you will. The vitamin D receptor: contemporary genomic approaches reveal new basic and translational insights  Possible Root Causes of Histamine Intolerance. "Low levels of certain nutrients like copper, Vitamins A, B6, and C can lead to histamine build up along with excess or deficient levels of iron. Iodine also plays a crucial role in histamine regulation."  
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      I forgot to mention my suspicion of the high amount of glyphosate allowed to be used on wheat in USA and NZ and Australia. My weight was 69kg mid-2023, I went down to 60kg in March 2024 and now hover around 63kg (just after winter here in NZ) - wheat-free and very low alcohol consumption.
    • AnnaNZ
      Bitters for digestion?

      By AnnaNZ · Posted

      Hi Jess Thanks so much for your response and apologies for the long delay in answering. I think I must have been waiting for something to happen before I replied and unfortunately it fell off the radar... I have had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in the meantime (which revealed 'minor' issues only). Yes I do think histamine intolerance is one of the problems. I have been lowering my histamine intake and feeling a lot better. And I do think it is the liver which is giving the pain. I am currently taking zinc (I have had three low zinc tests now), magnesium, B complex, vitamin E and a calcium/Vitamin C mix. I consciously think about getting vitamin D outside. (Maybe I should have my vitamin D re-tested now...) I am still 100% gluten-free. My current thoughts on the cause of the problems is some, if not all, of the following: Genetically low zinc uptake, lack of vitamin D, wine drinking (alcohol/sulphites), covid, immune depletion, gastroparesis, dysbiosis, leaky gut, inability to process certain foods I am so much better than late 2023 so feel very positive 🙂    
    • lehum
      4.5 years into diagnosis, eating gluten-free and still struggling: would love support, tips, & stories

      By lehum · Posted

      Hi and thank you very much for your detailed response! I am so glad that the protocol worked so well for you and helped you to get your health back on track. I've heard of it helping other people too. One question I have is how did you maintain your weight on this diet? I really rely on nuts and rice to keep me at a steady weight because I tend to lose weight quickly and am having a hard time envisioning how to make it work, especially when not being able to eat things like nuts and avocados. In case you have any input, woud be great to hear it! Friendly greetings.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.