folate in serum/plasma

Reference interval

• Serum Folate: 2.0-14.0 ng/mL

Principle

• see vitamin B12/folate measurement

Clinical significance

Serum folate, serum vitamin B12 & red blood cell folate are among the most common tests ordered in the investigation of anemia. Since deficiency of either vitamin may be a cause of megaloblastic anemia, it is essential to determine the levels of both vitamin B12 & folic acid to establish the etiology of the anemia. Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor in intermediary metabolism & is required for the biosynthesis of DNA. Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to severe anemia & potentially irreversible central nervous system degeneration. Folic acid is required in cellular metabolism & hematopoiesis, & prolonged folic acid deficiency may lead directly to megaloblastic anemia.

Decreases

• folate deficiency

Specimen

• see vitamin B12/folate measurement

More general terms

• folate in body fluid

Additional terms

• folate deficiency
• folate in erythrocytes
• folic acid; folate; vitamin B9
• vitamin B12; cobalamin

Component of

• folate + vitamin B12 in serum/blood
• anemia panel

Patient information

folate in serum/plasma patient information