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Test Code FOL Folate, Lab69

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Gold top serum gel 

Acceptable: Plain red-top tube

Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL of serum (Do not use hemolyzed specimens)

Stability: Stable for 2 hours at 20‑25 °C, 48 hours at 2‑8 °C, 28 days at ‑20 °C (± 5 °C). Freeze only once. Protect from light. Store the samples at 2‑8 °C if they cannot be measured immediately.

Collection Instructions: Fasting specimen is preferred. Protect specimen from light to prevent deterioration. If there is a delay in transport of >72 hours or if mailing time exceeds 72 hours, send specimen frozen in plastic vial.

Note:  This assay is affected by biotin interference.

Reference Values

4.6-34.8 ng/mL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Useful For

Folate levels in both serum and red blood cells are used to assess folate status. The serum folate level is an indicator of recent folate intake.  A folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia and ultimately to severe neurological problems.

Methodology

Chemiluminescence/Homogenous Competitive

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82746

Report Available

STAT within 1 hour of receipt

ROUTINE within 2 hours of receipt