What symptom is commonly associated with folic acid deficiency?

Folic acid deficiency is commonly associated with glossitis, which is characterized by inflammation and changes in the tongue's surface. Individuals with this deficiency often present with a smooth, swollen, and sometimes painful tongue, which can lead to difficulties in speaking and swallowing. This symptom occurs because folic acid is vital for the synthesis and maintenance of DNA, and its deficiency affects rapidly dividing cells, particularly those in the mucosal lining of the oral cavity.

While other symptoms, such as pallor, can occur due to anemia associated with folic acid deficiency, and neuropathy might suggest vitamin B12 deficiency, glossitis is the more specific and directly observable symptom linked to inadequate folic acid levels. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is not a typical manifestation of folic acid deficiency, further supporting the distinct nature of glossitis in this clinical context.