| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Folate, Serum
MessageProtect from sunight.
Test Code
FOLS
Alias/See Also
FOLIC ACID
CPT Codes
82746
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL collected in a SST (serum seprator-gold top tube)
Patient Preparation
Patient should be fasting.
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Tiger top (SST)
Gold top (SST)
Red top
Gold top (SST)
Red top
Transport Container
Protect from Sunlight
Refrigerated.
Refrigerated.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Specimen Stability
Protect from light.
Room Temperature: 2 hours at 15-25°C
Store at 2-8°C if they cannot be tested immediately.
Refrigerated: 2 days at 2-8°C
Frozen: 28 days at 20°C, Freeze only once.
.
Room Temperature: 2 hours at 15-25°C
Store at 2-8°C if they cannot be tested immediately.
Refrigerated: 2 days at 2-8°C
Frozen: 28 days at 20°C, Freeze only once.
.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Samples without complete first and last name and date of birth.
Date and time of collection not on specimen or requisition.
Hemolysis may significantly increase folate values due to high concentrations of folate in red blood cells. Therefore, hemolyzed samples are not suitable for use in this assay. Ask for a new specimen to be drawn.
Date and time of collection not on specimen or requisition.
Hemolysis may significantly increase folate values due to high concentrations of folate in red blood cells. Therefore, hemolyzed samples are not suitable for use in this assay. Ask for a new specimen to be drawn.
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sun-Sat
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Hemolysis may significantly increase folate values due to high concentrations of folate in red blood cells. Therefore, hemolyzed samples are not suitable for use in this assay.
Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.
For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with RBC folate, the patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.
For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with RBC folate, the patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
Reference Range
> 7.6 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Nutritional and macrocytic anemias can be caused by a deficiency of folate. This deficiency can result from diets devoid of raw fruits, vegetables or other foods rich in folic acid, as may be the case with chronic alcoholics, drug addicts, the elderly or persons of low socioeconomic status, etc. In addition, low serum folate during pregnancy has been associated with neural tube defects in the fetus.1 Dietary deficiency and malabsorption are the major causes of folate deficiency in humans.2 Folate is necessary for normal metabolism, DNA synthesis and red blood cell regeneration. Untreated deficiencies may lead to megaloblastic anemia.
Since a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate can cause megaloblastic anemia, it is advisable to determine the concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate in order to properly diagnose the etiology of anemia.
The majority utilize 125I-folate radiolabeled tracers and natural binding proteins (milk binding protein, folate binding protein). The various commercial assays differ in their free versus bound separation techniques and choice of specimen pretreatment.
Since a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folate can cause megaloblastic anemia, it is advisable to determine the concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate in order to properly diagnose the etiology of anemia.
The majority utilize 125I-folate radiolabeled tracers and natural binding proteins (milk binding protein, folate binding protein). The various commercial assays differ in their free versus bound separation techniques and choice of specimen pretreatment.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory 400 W 7th Street Frederick, MD. 21701
Last Updated: December 28, 2023
