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Test Name:
Folate, Serum


  • SBMF No:
    30037
  • Performance Lab Name:
    Automated Lab
  • Test Mnemonic:
    FOL
  • ABN:
    Not required
  • CPT Code:
    82746
  • LOINC Code:
    2284-8
  • Also Known As:
    Folic Acid
    Pteroylglutamic Acid
    Vitamin B9
  • Also See:
    30036 Folate, RBC
  • Spec Type:
    Serum
  • Spec Container:
    Gold top (SST) or red top (serum) tube
  • Pref Vol:
    1.0 mL
  • Min Vol:
    0.5 mL
  • Fasting:
    Recommended
  • Patient Prep:
    Fasting 12 hours recommended
  • Spec Collect:
    Routine venipuncture
  • Spec Process:
    Clot 30 minutes
    Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
    Preferred sample is serum, protected from light and refrigerated (2-8°C)
  • Spec Store Transport:
    Refrigerated and protected from light
  • Spec Stability:
    Room temperature (20-30°C): Unacceptable
    1 week refrigerated (2-8°C)
    2 months frozen (-20°C) – Do not use frost-free units that undergo repeated freeze/thaw cycles
  • Spec Reject:
    Hemolyzed or heat-inactivated sample
  • Methodology:
    Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA)
  • Use:
    Diagnose etiology of anemia
  • Clinical Significance:
    Nutritional and macrocytic anemias can be caused by a deficiency of folate. This deficiency can result from diets devoid of raw fruits and vegetables, alcoholism, structural/functional damage to digestive or absorptive processes, or pregnancy. In addition, low serum folate during pregnancy has been associated with neural tube defects in the fetus. Dietary deficiency and malabsorption are the major causes of folate deficiency in humans. Folate is necessary for normal metabolism, DNA synthesis and red blood cell regeneration. Untreated deficiencies will lead to megaloblastic anemia. Since a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate can cause megaloblastic anemia, it is advisable to determine the concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate in order to properly diagnose the etiology of anemia.
  • Reference Range:
    Normal: 4.2-19.9 ng/mL
    Indeterminate: 2.1-4.1 ng/mL
    Deficient: Less than 2.1 ng/mL
  • Day Run:
    Sun-Sat (daily)
  • Time Run:
    As received
  • Time Reported:
    4 hours
  • Test Type:
    HEMATOLOGY

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