How should I treat a person with folate deficiency anaemia?
• Give dietary advice: good sources of folate are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas, and brown rice. • Prescribe oral folic acid 5 mg daily. • Check vitamin B12 levels in all people before starting folic acid, as treatment can improve well-being such that it can mask underlying B12 deficiency and allow neurological disease to develop. • In most people, treatment will be required for 4 months. Folic acid may need to be taken longer term (sometimes for life) if the underlying cause of deficiency is persistent.
