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Folate, Serum : 466
Test CodeFOLATC or 466
Alias/See Also
Folic Acid
CPT Codes
82746
Instructions
Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
Transport Container
Preferred Specimen:
1 mL serum
Alternative Specimen:
Amber vial
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL
1 mL serum
Alternative Specimen:
Amber vial
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL
Transport Temperature
Room temperature.
Note: If transport to performing laboratory will exceed 24 hours please transport refrigerated (cold packs).
Note: If transport to performing laboratory will exceed 24 hours please transport refrigerated (cold packs).
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 36 hours; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis
Methodology
Immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday
Report Available
1 day
Reference Range
≤4 years Not established
5-9 years >7.1 ng/mL
10-17 years >8.0 ng/mL
≥18 years
Low <3.4 ng/mL
Borderline 3.4-5.4 ng/mL
Normal >5.4 ng/mL
5-9 years >7.1 ng/mL
10-17 years >8.0 ng/mL
≥18 years
Low <3.4 ng/mL
Borderline 3.4-5.4 ng/mL
Normal >5.4 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Folic acid deficiency is common in pregnant women, alcoholics, in patients whose diets do not include raw fruits and vegetables, and in 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.
Performing Laboratory
med fusion
