Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

Symptoms

Mild folic acid deficiency anemia may not produce any symptoms. As folic acid deficiency progresses, the following common symptoms of anemia may develop:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Forgetfulness
• Irritability
• Pale appearance (pallor)
• Lack of appetite and weight loss
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing attention

Less common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Sore, smooth tongue.
• Cracked lips, especially at the corners of the mouth.
• Shortness of breath with exertion.
• Rapid or irregular heart rate.
• Chest pain.

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: December 23, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
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