Do patients receiving regular haemodialysis need folic acid supplements?

Abstract

The authors report the results of a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study to investigate the change in haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume during six months of treatment with folic acid. This study has shown no benefit from six months' treatment with folic acid and indeed a slight fall in haemoglobin concentration occurred during treatment with folic acid. In addition, there was a weak association with nausea, headache, vivid dreams, agitation, and irritability, symptoms that have been ascribed to folic acid previously. We therefore see no justification for the use of folic acid supplements for adequately nourished patients receiving regular haemodialysis.