Folate, Serum

Test Code

FOL

CPT Codes
82746

Preferred Specimen

Serum (gold top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Instructions

Protect specimen from prolonged exposure to light using a brown paper sack, aluminum foil, or a dark-colored plastic transport tube.

Transport Container

Serum (gold top) tube or Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration; protect specimen from prolonged exposure to light

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 1 day; Refrigerated - 7 days

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

Hemolysis, Turbidity, Quantity Not Sufficient, EDTA (purple top tube) contamination, IV contamination

Methodology
Chemiluminescence

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Reference Range

2.76 to > 20.0 ng/mL

Clinical Significance

Folates are a subset of vitamins related to pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) that function as co-enzymes in metabolic reactions involving the transfer of single carbon units. Folate and vitamin B12 are necessary for DNA synthesis, and consequently normal red blood cell maturation. Folate deficiency can lead to macrocytic (megaloblastic) anemia. Folate is obtained from dietary sources including fruits, green and leafy vegetables, yeast and organ meats. Folate is absorbed from the small intestine and stored in the liver. 1 Low folate intake, malabsorption as a result of gastrointestinal diseases, pregnancy and the use of drugs such as phenytoin, oral contraceptives and excessive concentrations of alcohol are causes of folate deficiency. Low serum folate concentrations are an early indication of folate depletion and precede depletion in the tissues. Adequate folate concentrations during pregnancy are also important in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD) in infants. Folate supplementation prior to conception and in the first weeks of pregnancy reduces the incidence of NTD affected births.

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.