Folate

Message

Test performed at York Hospital Laboratory.

Test Code

FOL

Alias/See Also

Folic Acid

CPT Codes
82746

Preferred Specimen

0.3 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)

Other Acceptable Specimens

0.3 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
0.3 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube

Instructions

Protect specimens from prolonged exposure to light and direct sunlight.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 4 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 4 weeks

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

Hemolyzed specimens

Methodology
Chemiluminescence

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Next Day

Reference Range

2.76-20.00 ng/mL

Clinical Significance

Folate deficiency can lead to macrocytic (megaloblastic) anemia. Folate is obtained from dietary sources including fruits, green and leafy vegetables, yeast and organ meats. 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.

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.