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Test Name:
Folate, RBC
- SBMF No:
30036 - Performance Lab Name:
Automated Lab - Test Mnemonic:
FOL RBC - ABN:
Not required - CPT Code:
82747 - LOINC Code:
2283-0 - Also Known As:
Folic Acid, Erythrocytes
RBC Folate - Also See:
30037 Folate, Serum - Spec Type:
Whole blood - Spec Container:
Lavender top (EDTA) tube - Alt Spec Type:
Whole blood - Alt Spec Container:
Green top (lithium heparin) tube - Pref Vol:
1.0 mL - Min Vol:
0.5 mL - Fasting:
No - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture
Immediately after collection, gently invert tube to mix
Label sample tube
Wrap tube in foil to protect sample from light exposure
Do not place label over foil wrap
Patient's hematocrit value (required for folate testing):
– Perform hematocrit on lavender tube - or-
– If patient has not been transfused, use hematocrit result obtained within past 3 days -or-
– Send separate lavender top tube to SBMF for hematocrit testing - Spec Process:
Do not centrifuge
Record patient’s hematocrit result on tube label and on test requisition
Refrigerate (2-8°C) entire foiled-wrapped tube of EDTA whole blood and transport refrigerated - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated and protected from light - Spec Stability:
1 week refrigerated (2-8°C)
2 months frozen (-20°C) – Do not use frost-free units that undergo repeated freeze/thaw cycles - Methodology:
Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA) - Use:
Detect folate deficiency
Monitor therapy with folate
Evaluate megaloblastic and macrocytic anemia - Clinical Significance:
Folate has become a generic term for the miscellaneous analogues of pteroylglutamic acid (PGA). Folate is obtained from dietary sources, absorbed from the small intestine and stored in the liver. Low folate intake, malabsorption, chronic alcoholism, pregnancy and drugs such as phenytoin are causes of folate deficiency.Folate and Vitamin B12 deficiency impair DNA synthesis, resulting in abnormal maturation of red blood cells. These deficiencies are characterized by macrocytic anemia. Appropriate treatment depends on the differential diagnosis of the deficiency. Serum folate measurement provides an early index of folate status. Folate is more concentrated in red blood cells than in serum, and more closely reflects tissue stores. - Reference Range:
280-791 ng/mL - Day Run:
Tue, Thu, Sat - Time Run:
8:00 am - Time Reported:
5:00 pm - Test Type:
HEMATOLOGY
