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Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Folate Panel, Serum
Test CodeB12FOL
Preferred Specimen
2 mL Serum
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Amber vial
Instructions
None
Transport Container
Serum separator tube (SST)
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Rrefrigerated: 2 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
24/7
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
See individual tests
Clinical Significance
Folic acid deficiency is common in pregnant women, alcoholics, patients with diets that do not include raw fruits and vegetables, and people with structural damage to the small intestine. The most reliable and direct method of diagnosing folate deficiency is the determination of folate levels in both erythrocytes and serum. Low folic acid levels, however, can also be the result of a primary Vitamin B12 deficiency that decreases the ability of cells to take up folic acid.
B12 is decreased in pernicious anemia, total or partial gastrectomy, malabsorption and certain congenital biochemical disorders.
B12 is decreased in pernicious anemia, total or partial gastrectomy, malabsorption and certain congenital biochemical disorders.