To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of abnormal folic acid levels we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow abnormal folic acid levels to develop?"
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind abnormal folic acid levels consists of three steps:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Crohn's Disease | 99% | Confirm |
Alcohol Consequences | 15% | Unlikely |
Ulcerative Colitis | 3% | Ruled out |
Megaloblastic Anemia | 3% | Ruled out |
Folic Acid. Unit: nmol/L
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Confirmed deficiency in the past → Under 10 (low) → 10 to 30 (normal) → Over 30 (elevated) |
Alcohol interferes with the metabolism and absorption of folic acid.
All inflammatory bowel disease patients are prone to low serum folate levels.