4. Taking Certain Medications
Certain medications can not only reduce the amount of folate your body takes in but they can even prevent your body from absorbing any folic acid at all. Some of these medications are those that treat seizures, methotrexate, cholestyramine, and sulfasalazine. Although you may be on these medications, your gynecologist or OBGYN, if you are pregnant, will be made aware of the medications you are on and she or he will keep an eye on them if necessary.
However, if you are sure that your folate deficiency is caused by one of your medications, you should speak with your doctor. He or she will find out which medication it is that is causing the folic acid deficiency and will cut your dosage down and slowly take you off of it.
Once you find out which medication it is, you can eventually stop taking that medication. This is important, especially for pregnant women who need the right amount of folic acid for a healthy baby.