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Folate
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab
Test Code
0177
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: FOL, Folic Acid
CPT Codes
82746
Preferred Specimen
Specimen needs to be decanted.
150 uL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
150 uL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
150 uL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum separator (gold-top, red-top)
Instructions
Processing: Needs to be decanted after centrifugation
Minimize exposure to light.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 5 days
Frozen: 5 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross Hemolysis
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassasy (CMIA)
Setup Schedule
Monday - Friday
Report Available
Same day.
Reference Range
> 6.9 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. 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.
