Folic Acid deficiency in the elderly?

[Simba's Mom]

I found out yesterday that Dad has folic acid deficiency. He's been on a Folic Acid supplement for several months (I'd only heard of that for pregnant women). He oesn't drink and smokes only when he's not home. After several months, the GP is now sending him to a Gastroenterologist. Does anyone have any experience with Folic Acid deficiency in the elderly? What could this be a symptom of?

 

[Christine]

Usually in the elderly, they start having a hard time absorbing certain vitamins from their food--B-12 is the biggest offender.

Not sure why they would send him to a gastro unless they just want to make sure everything is going okay with his stomach and his intestines.