Folic Acid
Also known as folate, Vitamin B9 blood test or serum folic acid level.
Why test for Serum Folic Acid level at Symbion VIP Diagnostics, Ahmedabad ?
Folic Acid level lab test is also known as folate, Vitamin B9 blood test or serum folic acid level.
Folic Acid level lab test is frequently done along with some other lab tests such as Complete Blood Count, Methylmalonic Acid, Homocysteine, B Vitamins, Intrinsic Factor Antibody, Parietal Cell Antibody, Reticulocyte Count, Blood Smear, Vitamin B12.
What is Folic Acid Blood Test?
- Folic acid or folate, also called vitamin B9, is part of the B complex of vitamins. It is important for red blood cell production, red blood cell and white blood cell function, nervous system health, and tissue repair. Vitamins, such as vitamin B9, are essential because certain enzymes require them to perform necessary chemical reactions
- Folate is obtained from bacteria in the intestines and from the diet. Foods rich in folate include leafy green vegetables, beans, citrus fruits, liver, and yeast. Foods and beverages are often supplemented with folic acid. Folate refers to the natural form of the vitamin, whereas folic acid is added to food and beverages
- Folate is water-soluble, which means that most folate is excreted through the urine and does not get stored in body fat. However, small amounts of folate are stored in the liver
- One of the most important uses for folate is red blood cell production, or erythropoiesis. This occurs in the bone marrow. Folate deficiency may lead to the production of fewer but larger red blood cells, which is a type of anemia
- Additionally, folate deficiency could cause developmental defects in a growing fetus. This is because folate is necessary for cell division, which occurs at a rapid rate during fetal growth and development
- 95% of folate is housed in red blood cells. These cells make up one-third to one-half of the volume of blood; the rest is fluid called plasma. 99% of all blood cells are red blood cells
- Individuals with malabsorptive disorders, such as celiac disease and cystic fibrosis, may have difficulties in absorbing folate, even though they eat foods rich in folate
- The Folic Acid Blood Test measures folic acid or folate levels in either the blood plasma or in the red blood cells. It is used to identify a folate deficiency, which could indicate other conditions such as malabsorptive disorders or malnutrition
What are the Clinical Indications for performing the Folic Acid Blood Test?
Following are the clinical indications for performing the Folic Acid Blood Test:
- Differentiating megaloblastic anemia resulting from deficient folate intake or increased folate requirement
- Monitoring the effects of prolonged parenteral nutrition
- Fatigue
- Pale appearance
- Irregular heartbeat
- Altered mental status
- Headache
What is the Significance of the Folic Acid Blood Test Result?
The significance of the Folic Acid Blood Test result is explained:
Increased folate levels may indicate:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Blind loop syndrome
- Distal small bowel disease
- Pernicious anemia
Decreased folate levels may indicate:
- Crohn’s disease
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Hemolytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, or sideroblastic anemia
- Infantile hyperthyroidism
- Liver disease
- Malnutrition
- Myelofibrosis
- Neoplasmus
- Regional enteritis
- Scurvy
- Sprue
- Ulcerative colitis
- Whipple’s disease
The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario.
