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HelpTest ID: FOL Folate, Serum
Reporting Name
Folate, SUseful For
Investigation of suspected folate deficiency
Clinical Information
The term folate refers to all derivatives of folic acid. For practical purposes, serum folate is almost entirely in the form of N-(5)-methyl tetrahydrofolate.(1)
Approximately 20% of the folate absorbed daily is derived from dietary sources; the remainder is synthesized by intestinal microorganisms. Serum folate levels typically fall within a few days after dietary folate intake is reduced and may be low in the presence of normal tissue stores. Red blood cell folate levels are less subject to short-term dietary changes.
Significant folate deficiency is characteristically associated with macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia. Lower than normal serum folate has also been reported in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, in pregnant women whose fetuses have neural tube defects, and in women who have recently had spontaneous abortions.(2) Folate deficiency is most commonly due to insufficient dietary intake and is most frequently encountered in pregnant women or in alcoholics.
Other causes of low serum folate concentration include:
-Excessive utilization (eg, liver disease, hemolytic disorders, and malignancies)
-Rare inborn errors of metabolism (eg, dihydrofolate reductase deficiency, formiminotransferase deficiency, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, and tetrahydrofolate methyltransferase deficiency)
Interpretation
Serum folate is a relatively nonspecific test.(3) Low serum folate levels may be seen in the absence of deficiency, and normal levels may be seen in patients with macrocytic anemia, dementia, neuropsychiatric disorders, and pregnancy disorders.
Results below 4 mcg/L are suggestive of folate deficiency. The cutoff is based on consensus and was derived from the US NHANES III data.(4)
Evaluation of macrocytic anemias commonly requires measurement of the serum concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate; ideally, they should be measured simultaneously.
Serum folate measurement is preferred over red blood cell (RBC) folate measurement due to considerable analytic variability (coefficient of variation) of assays. Both results give the same interpretation (internal Mayo study), therefore, RBC folate quantitation is not recommended. Additional serum testing for homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) determinations may help distinguish between vitamin B12 and folate deficiency states. In folate deficiency, homocysteine levels are elevated and MMA levels are normal. In vitamin B12 deficiency, the analytic variability of both serum and RBC folate assays is considerable. Homocysteine and MMA levels are alternate determinates of folate deficiency.
For more information see Vitamin B12 Deficiency Evaluation.
Report Available
1 to 3 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Clinical Reference
1. Fairbanks VF, Klee GG. Biochemical aspects of hematology. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Saunders Company; 1999:1690-1698
2. George L, Mills JL, Johansson AL, et al. Plasma folate levels and risk of spontaneous abortion. JAMA. 2002;288(15):1867-1873
3. Klee GG. Cobalamin and folate evaluation: measurement of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine vs vitamin B12 and folate. Clin Chem. 2000;46(8 Pt 2):1277-1283
4. de Benoist B. Conclusions of a WHO Technical Consultation on folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Food Nutr Bull. 2008;29(2 Suppl):S238-S244
5. Roberts NB, Taylor A, Sodi R: Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:chap 37
Method Name
Competitive-Binding Receptor Assay
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient preparation:
1. Patient should be fasting for 8 hours.
2. Do not order on patients who have recently received methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume:0.6 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
≥4.0 mcg/L
<4.0 mcg/L suggests folate deficiency
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82746
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FOL | Folate, S | 2284-8 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FOL | Folate, S | 2284-8 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755) with the specimen.
mml-Behavioral, mml-Epilepsy, mml-Movement-Disorders, mml-Demyelinating-Diseases, mml-Neuromuscular, mml-Autonomic, mml-Pediatric, mml-Spinal-Cord, mml-Neurometabolic, mml-Neuro-ophthalmology