Test Overview
Clinical Utility
Folate measured in Erythrocytes is the test of choice to evaluate nutritional status – serum Folate may be misleading, especially non-fasting borderline results.
Method
Chemiluminescence (CL)
Result Included
Folate
Aliases/Synonyms
Pteroylglutamic Acid; Folic Acid
Specimen
Specimen Type
SerumPlasma (heparin)
Volume
Sample Volume
1 mL
Patient Preparation
Fasting. Serum folate may be falsely elevated in non-fasting specimens.
Collection & Handling
Collection Instructions
Avoid hemolysis.
Handling Information
Separate serum within 2 hours of collection. Store and send frozen.
Stability
| Ambient | Refrigerated | Frozen |
|---|---|---|
| 8 hours | 7 days | 3 Months |
Rejection Criteria
| Criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hemolysis | Gross |
Performance & Interpretation
Turnaround Time
5 days
Results
Name
Units
Reference Range
Conversion
-
Folatenmol/L>13.4ng/mL x 2.265
Referral Location
Canada
Interface & Setup
HL7 Interface Codes
| Order Code | Result Name | Result Codes | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOL S | Folate Serum | 20890 | nmol/L |
Test Version
Last Updated
2024-06-14