"What Should I Do If My Total Red Blood Cell Folate Level Is Below 400?"
Treatment for Low Total Folic Acid in Red Blood Cells Below 400ng/mL
When total folic acid levels in red blood cells are below 400ng/mL, treatment can be administered under medical supervision through dietary adjustments, medication, blood transfusions, surgery, and regular follow-ups. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive appropriate improvement or treatment measures as advised by a healthcare professional. Detailed analysis of treatment options is as follows:
1. Dietary Adjustments
Patients need to adjust their diet by incorporating more foods rich in folic acid, such as spinach, Chinese cabbage, fish, eggs, and animal liver, to supplement the body's folic acid requirements. It is also essential to maintain a balanced diet with a combination of meat and vegetables, avoiding long-term consumption of a single food or overeating.
2. Medication
If folic acid malabsorption is caused by diarrhea, treatment with medications like Loperamide Hydrochloride Capsules, Montmorillonite Powder, and Lactobacillus Tablets may be prescribed. In cases of megaloblastic anemia due to iron deficiency anemia or folic acid deficiency, treatment with Folic Acid Tablets, Ferrous Succinate Tablets, and Ferrous Gluconate Tablets may be indicated.
3. Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusions are necessary when the patient's hemoglobin level falls below 60ng/mL, aiming to replenish hemoglobin levels.
4. Surgery
Patients with anemia caused by hypersplenism or autoimmune hemolytic anemia may require allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and splenectomy. These surgical methods are applicable to those who do not respond to medication or are transfusion-dependent.
5. Regular Follow-ups
During individualized treatment, patients should regularly undergo quantitative tests for folic acid in red blood cells at hospitals to facilitate doctors in adjusting treatment plans based on numerical changes. Due to individual differences, specific treatment methods may vary. Patients should also undergo regular blood routine reviews during medication and adjust medication dosage and duration according to blood test results.
