The evaluation of serum folic acid levels in women of reproductive age

In our study, the serum folic acid levels of 500 women of reproductive age (15-49) were examined, and the aim was to comment on the necessity of routine folic acid supplementation in women without deficiency. In this context, the folic acid levels of the patients ranged from 1.8 to 20.0, with a median folic acid level of 5.40. There are 35 patients with folic acid levels of 3 or below. The rate of folic acid deficiency is 10.7% in the 15-25 age group, 10.8% in the 26-35 age group, and 1.9% in the 36-49 age group. The deficiency rates in the 15-25 and 26-35 age groups are statistically higher compared to the 36-49 age group. The deficiency rate is 10.1% in those who have not become pregnant and 4.2% in those who have. Among women who have never been pregnant, the rate of folic acid deficiency is statistically higher compared to those who have been pregnant before. In our study, folic acid deficiency (≤3) decreased with age. This may be due to the increased fertility with age, leading to prior use of folic acid supplements in earlier pregnancies. Indeed, the rate of folic acid deficiency is lower in those who have become pregnant compared to those who have not. Since folic acid deficiency is more common in the early stages of the reproductive period, routine folic acid supplementation should be recommended during pregnancy. However, further studies are needed to investigate the potential side effects of doses above 400 mcg.