Sign in →

Order Code LAB105 Folate, Serum

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC

EPIC Test Code           

Mnemonic

RV FOLATE

LAB105

FOLATE

 

Useful For

Evaluation of folate status 

 

Precautions: This test should not be requested on patients who have recently received methotrexate or another folic acid antagonist.

Specimen Requirements

Special Notes: Do not use hemolyzed specimens as hemolysis may affect test results for serum/plasma folate.

Centrifuge specimens and aliquot serum into an amber vial within 2 hours of collection.

Protect from light.  Light accelerates the degradation of folate. 

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: SST

Acceptable: Plain, red-top tube 

Specimen Volume: 2 mL 

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL 

 

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Stability           
Serum Ambient 4 hours
  Refrigerated 7 days
  Frozen (preferred) 4 weeks

Reference Values

  • 0-17 years: No Established Reference Range
  • >/=18 years: 2.76– 20.00ng/mL

 

Specimens with biotin concentrations up to 5ng/mL demonstrated a less than or equal to 10% change in results. Serum biotin concentrations >5 ng/mL may falsely elevate Folate results.

For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and other findings.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday and Thursday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Competitive binding assay

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82746