Formiminoglutamate (FIGLU) is a functional marker of insufficiency of folic acid, another B-vitamin, and is a compound made from the amino acid histidine.
Pregnant women especially need to have adequate folic acid to prevent birth defects. Folic acid insufficiency can play a role in childhood development problems, depression, immune function, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Insufficiency of folic acid leads to high urinary Formiminoglutamate.
High levels:
High levels can indicate:
- insufficient folic acid
- increased alcohol consumption
- excessive consumption of processed foods
- oral contraception
Smoking and pregnancy will all have a detrimental impact on folic acid absorption.
Symptoms:
Common symptoms may include:
- anemia
- fatigue
- elevated homocysteine
- ischemic heart disease
- stroke
- deep vein thrombosis.
Pregnant women especially need to have adequate folic acid to prevent birth defects.
Folic acid insufficiency can play a role in:
- childhood development problems
- depression
- immune function
Folic acid insufficiency is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Possible treatment options if high:
- consider supplementing with folic acid.
- stop consumption of alcohol.
- if homocysteine is elevated, consider using 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
Disclaimer:
The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
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