What Are Some Causes of High Folate Level in the Blood?
A high level of folic acid or folate in the blood indicates a person eats a diet that is high in folic acid, takes vitamins, takes folic acid pills or has a vitamin B12 deficiency, states WebMD. Having too much folic acid in the blood is not a dangerous condition and does not cause other health issues.
The reason high folate levels are found in people who have a vitamin B12 deficiency is the body needs vitamin B12 to use folate, explains WebMD. When vitamin B12 levels are not within a normal range, the cells in the body cannot use folic acid, allowing it to build up in the bloodstream. However, a folic acid test is not the proper test to find a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A low folate level can indicate diet issues, an eating disorder or alcohol dependency, according to WebMD. However, low folate levels can also be indicative of medical issues such as kidney failure or cancer, as these conditions cause the body to use folic acid more quickly than normal. Some people with low folate levels simply have issues absorbing or using folic acid. These issues can include Crohn’s disease, liver disease and celiac disease. Additionally, women who are pregnant and individuals with hemolytic anemia need more folic acid than normal.
