Tag: High folate symptoms

According to health guidelines, elevated serum folate levels are generally considered to be above 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The primary concerns with having a high level of folate often arise not from dietary intake, but from overconsumption of synthetic folic acid supplements, which can mask an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency.

According to the National Institutes of Health, while dietary folate is safe, an excessive intake of synthetic folic acid from supplements can potentially lead to adverse health outcomes. This raises the important question: Does high folate cause symptoms, and what are the specific risks?

According to the NIH, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for synthetic folic acid is 1,000 micrograms (mcg) per day for adults. While it is nearly impossible to get too much folate from food alone, overconsumption of synthetic folic acid through supplements and fortified products can lead to adverse health effects, including a serious risk of masking a vitamin B12 deficiency.