D52.1: Drug-induced folate deficiency anaemia

You don’t have enough folic acid in your body. This means you don’t have enough haemoglobin in your blood.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood. Haemoglobin needs various nutrients to be formed. These nutrients include, for example, various proteins, vitamins and iron.

Vitamins are substances the body needs for many tasks. The body is unable produce most vitamins by itself. These vitamins must be taken in through food. Folic acid is a vitamin. You don’t have enough folic acid in your body, meaning that you don’t have enough red blood cells. This means you also don’t have enough haemoglobin in your blood.

If you don’t have enough haemoglobin, then the body can no longer transport as much oxygen. This can mean you’re exhausted more quickly or you have difficulty breathing.

Folic acid is also needed for the body to be able to produce new cells for the child during pregnancy. Folic acid is therefore especially important during pregnancy.

You are taking medication that is stopping folic acid from being absorbed or processed properly.