Folate

Test Code

LAB69

Alias/See Also

Folic Acid

CPT Codes
82746

Preferred Specimen

Collect in SST. Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection
Refrigerate within 8 hours

Instructions

Routine venipuncture Collect one 5ml Red/gold top serum separator tube

Specimen Stability

Refrigerate within 8 hours.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Slight hemolysis; failure to follow proper collection or storage procedures

Methodology
Competitive binding assay: The amount of HRP conjugate bound is indirectly proportional to the concentration of folate present.

Setup Schedule

Daily/STAT

Report Available

within 24 hrs

Reference Range

0.00 - 2.79 ng/mL = Deficient2.79 - >20 ng/mL = Normal

Clinical Significance

Folate with vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis, which is required for normal red blood cell maturation. Humans obtain folate from dietary sources including fruits, green and leafy vegetables, yeast, and organ meats. Low folate intake, malabsorption as a result of gastrointestinal diseases, pregnancy, and drugs such as Dilantin® are causes of folate deficiency. Folate deficiency is also associated with chronic alcoholism.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.