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FOLATE
Test CodeLAB69
CPT Codes
82746
Preferred Specimen
One 4.5 mL light green top tube. Protect from light.
Pediatric: One light green top microtainer
Pediatric: One light green top microtainer
Other Acceptable Specimens
Red top tube or gold top tube
Instructions
Minimize exposure to light during sample handling. Sample must be centrifuged within 1 hour of collection.Serum/plasma must be removed from the red cells and put into amber aliquot tubes following centrifugation.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Protect from light
Ambient: Unstable, analyze immediately Refrigerated: 7 days Frozen: 1 month
Ambient: Unstable, analyze immediately Refrigerated: 7 days Frozen: 1 month
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolyzed specimens
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sunday-Saturday
Reference Range
7-31 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Serum folate is a relatively non-specific test. Low serum folate levels may be seen in the absence of deficiency and normal levels may be
seen in patients with macrocytic anemia, neuropsychiatric disorders and pregnancy disorders. Evaluation of macroctyic anemias commonly includes measuring both vitamin B12 and folate levels, ideally at the same point in time. RBC folate measurement is no longer available at WVUH. Serum folate measurement is preferred over RBC folate due to high variability of the RBC folate assay and the good correlation between serum and RBC folate levels using modern serum folate assays.
Investigating suspected folate deficiency
seen in patients with macrocytic anemia, neuropsychiatric disorders and pregnancy disorders. Evaluation of macroctyic anemias commonly includes measuring both vitamin B12 and folate levels, ideally at the same point in time. RBC folate measurement is no longer available at WVUH. Serum folate measurement is preferred over RBC folate due to high variability of the RBC folate assay and the good correlation between serum and RBC folate levels using modern serum folate assays.
Investigating suspected folate deficiency
Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
Berkeley Medical Center Barnesville Hospital Braxton County Memorial Camden Clark Medical Center Garrett Regional Medical Center Princeton Community Hospital Potomac Valley Hospital Reynolds Memorial Hospital Summersville Regional Medical Center St. Joseph’s Hospital United Hospital Center Uniontown Hospital Wetzel County Hospital Wheeling Hospital
