Can Folic Acid Increase Blood Count? Understanding Its Role in Nutritional Health

October 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, anemia affects over 600 million adolescent girls and women of reproductive age worldwide, often stemming from nutrient shortages. A significant contributor to this condition is folate deficiency. This raises a key question: can folic acid increase blood count, and under what specific circumstances?

Quick Summary

Folic acid, or Vitamin B9, is essential for healthy red blood cell production. It can increase blood count effectively when low levels are caused by a folate deficiency, which leads to megaloblastic anemia.

Key Points

Folic Acid is Essential for Blood Production: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is a vital coenzyme needed for DNA synthesis, which is crucial for the formation and maturation of healthy red blood cells.
Treats Folate-Deficiency Anemia: If low blood count is caused by a folate deficiency, supplementation will effectively increase red blood cell count and resolve symptoms.
Not a Universal Cure: Folic acid will not increase blood count if the underlying cause is unrelated to folate deficiency, such as iron deficiency or other medical conditions.
Requires Medical Supervision: Before initiating long-term high-dose folic acid, a healthcare provider should rule out a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be masked by folic acid and cause irreversible neurological damage.
Found in Diet and Fortified Foods: Incorporating folate-rich foods like leafy greens, legumes, and fortified grains into your diet is the best way to maintain healthy levels naturally.
Response Takes Time: For individuals with folate deficiency anemia, it may take several weeks of consistent supplementation before symptoms begin to improve significantly.

The Fundamental Role of Folic Acid in Blood Health

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a water-soluble B-vitamin, crucial for numerous bodily functions. It is a critical cofactor in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are the genetic building blocks of our cells. In the context of blood health, this function is particularly vital for the rapid production and maturation of new blood cells within the bone marrow. Without sufficient folic acid, this process is disrupted, leading to the formation of abnormally large, immature, and fewer red blood cells.

The Link Between Folic Acid Deficiency and Anemia

A deficiency in folic acid directly causes a specific type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia. In this condition, the red blood cells that are produced are oversized (macrocytic) and structurally abnormal, which affects their ability to function properly and carry oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms of this condition can include:

Extreme fatigue and weakness
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Sore, red tongue and mouth ulcers
Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
Cognitive issues, such as forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating

When a blood test reveals this type of anemia due to low folate, it is clear that addressing the deficiency is the correct course of action for increasing the red blood cell count.

How Folic Acid Increases Blood Count: The Treatment Connection

For an individual diagnosed with folate-deficiency anemia, taking a folic acid supplement or increasing dietary folate intake will directly and effectively increase their blood count. The supplementation helps correct the underlying cause, allowing the bone marrow to produce healthy, properly functioning red blood cells once again. This targeted intervention leads to a normalization of the blood count and a resolution of the anemia symptoms.

It is important to understand that folic acid is not a cure-all for every cause of low blood count. For those whose low blood count is not due to a folate deficiency, supplementation will not have the same corrective effect. For instance, if the cause is an iron deficiency, only treating the iron deficiency will resolve the problem. This highlights the importance of a proper diagnosis before beginning any supplementation regimen.

The Importance of a Balanced Dietary Approach

While supplementation is a reliable treatment for diagnosed deficiency, maintaining a diet rich in folate is the best preventive measure. Many natural and fortified foods provide this essential nutrient.

Natural Sources: Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale), legumes (lentils, black-eyed peas), citrus fruits, asparagus, and eggs.
Fortified Sources: Enriched bread, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals are required by law to be fortified with folic acid in many countries, like the United States.

Comparison of Nutrients and Their Impact on Blood Count


Nutrient	Primary Role in Blood Health	Deficiency Result	How it Increases Blood Count
Folic Acid (B9)	DNA synthesis and cell maturation, especially red blood cells.	Megaloblastic anemia, characterized by oversized, non-functional red blood cells.	Corrects the nutritional deficiency, allowing for the normal maturation and production of red blood cells.
Iron	Production of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen within red blood cells.	Iron-deficiency anemia, with reduced hemoglobin levels and smaller red blood cells.	Restores iron reserves, enabling the body to produce sufficient hemoglobin and new red blood cells.
Vitamin B12	Works with folate in red blood cell production and maintains the nervous system.	Megaloblastic anemia (like folate deficiency) and potential irreversible nerve damage.	Corrects the B12 deficiency, which allows folate to function properly and aids in red blood cell formation.

A Cautionary Note: The B12 Masking Effect

One critical consideration when taking folic acid is its potential to mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. Since both deficiencies can cause megaloblastic anemia, high-dose folic acid supplementation can treat the anemia aspect, making it seem as if the issue is resolved. However, it does not address the underlying B12 deficiency, which can progress to cause severe, irreversible neurological damage if left untreated. For this reason, a proper diagnosis and monitoring of both folate and B12 levels by a healthcare provider are essential, especially for anyone on long-term supplementation.

Conclusion: A Targeted and Informed Approach

In conclusion, can folic acid increase blood count? Yes, but only when a deficiency is the root cause of the low count. For individuals with folate-deficiency anemia, it is a highly effective and proven treatment. Folic acid facilitates the proper formation of healthy red blood cells, reversing the effects of the deficiency and restoring a normal blood count. However, it is not a general tonic for all blood count issues and should be used under medical supervision to avoid masking other deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12. The best strategy for long-term blood health is a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, with supplementation reserved as a targeted treatment for diagnosed deficiencies. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet, along with expert advice, is the most reliable path to optimal hematological health.

For more in-depth information on folate and other essential nutrients, please consult the resources provided by the National Institutes of Health.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554487/)

Frequently Asked Questions

Folate is the naturally occurring form of Vitamin B9 found in foods like vegetables and legumes. Folic acid is the synthetic form of Vitamin B9, which is used in dietary supplements and fortified foods because it is more stable and better absorbed by the body.

While folic acid can start working within hours, it may take several weeks before you start feeling better or notice a significant improvement in your blood count if you have folate deficiency anemia. Consistent use as recommended by a doctor is key.

Yes. Taking high doses of folic acid can be risky, primarily because it can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, allowing it to go untreated. An untreated B12 deficiency can lead to severe and irreversible nerve damage over time.

Excellent food sources of folate include leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, legumes such as lentils and black-eyed peas, asparagus, oranges, and fortified grain products like enriched breads and cereals.

Folate deficiency is typically diagnosed through a blood test that measures serum folate and red cell folate levels. A complete blood count (CBC) will also reveal the characteristic signs of megaloblastic anemia, such as enlarged red blood cells.

Yes, taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy is highly recommended and safe. It helps prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine, known as neural tube defects.

Most people who eat a balanced diet that includes folate-rich foods get enough. However, supplementation may be necessary for those with increased needs, such as pregnant individuals or those with malabsorption issues. A healthcare provider can determine if a supplement is right for you.