Folate, Serum

Mastering Folate Blood Test: Understanding Serum Levels

B12 and folic acid tests help doctors identify issues with the central nervous system. They can also help find the cause of anemia and spot malabsorption problems. B12 and folic acid are essential for energy, muscle strength, and memory. These vitamins are found only in certain foods like egg yolks, beef, poultry, and fish. Because of this, many people do not get enough of them.

B12 and folic acid blood tests help doctors check for issues in the brain and nerves, anemia, and problems with taking in nutrients. These vitamins are very important for energy, muscle strength, and memory. Many people do not get enough B12 and folic acid because these vitamins only come from food. Good sources are egg yolks, beef, poultry, and fish. You must fast for 8 to 12 hours before taking this test. It's important to drink water and stay hydrated during this time. A B12 test should be done together with the folate test.

What is Folate?

Folate is a water-soluble vitamin. It plays a key role in human growth and in making red and white blood cells. This vitamin is also known as Vitamin B-9. It is very important for pregnant women. They often need extra folate, especially if they have a history of neural tube defects like spina bifida in earlier pregnancies. This vitamin can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. Folate also helps to make DNA and RNA and is important in breaking down amino acids.

Why Should I Test My Folate Levels?

Mild folate deficiency often does not have any obvious signs. But severe folate deficiency can cause:

• You feel very tired all the time.
• You may have tingling or numbness in your hands and feet.
• Your tongue could be sore and red.
• You might have sores in your mouth.
• There could be changes in your vision.
• You may experience mental health issues, like depression.

Megaloblastic anemia happens when a person has very large and poorly developed red blood cells. These are called megaloblasts. Low levels of folate or a severe lack of folate, known as folate deficiency anemia, as well as illnesses like hemolytic anemia can cause this condition. The abnormal cells make it hard for the bone marrow to produce enough red blood cells. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, ringing in the ears, or heart palpitations. A test called Folate, Serum measures folate levels in the blood's liquid part, known as plasma. This test helps doctors identify folate deficiency anemia, problems with nutrient absorption, and central nervous system issues. Folate is very important to avoid these problems and to keep our cells healthy and functioning well.

Where Do I Get Folate?

Folate comes only from the food we eat. This can lead to some people not getting enough vitamin B-9. You can find natural folate in foods like leafy vegetables and green vegetables. This includes spinach, kale and broccoli. Folate is also in citrus fruits, liver, lentils, and whole grains. Many grain products, such as cereals and bread, have added folic acid. This is a man-made type of vitamin B-9. Some digestive system diseases, like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, can stop the body from absorbing folic acid. Drinking too much alcohol or cooking vegetables too long can also reduce folate absorption. For those who may not get enough folate, like pregnant women, folic acid can be taken as a supplement in capsules or vitamin pills. A folate deficiency can be caused by several things.

• Poor eating habits
• Excessive drinking
• Tobacco use
• Chemotherapy treatment
• Kidney dialysis
• Being pregnant
• Advanced age

Can I Have Too Much Folate?

A normal range for the amount of folic acid in the blood is between 3 and 17 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Studies show that having high folate levels might help protect against cancer and heart disease. Folate, also known as vitamin B-9, dissolves in water. This means any extra amount usually leaves the body through urine. Having too much folate is rarely a problem. However, it can mean there is not enough vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 helps use folate or folic acid properly. Since folate and B-12 work closely together, tests for folate levels should also check B-12 levels. This is a reliable way to check vitamin levels. These levels can differ among different labs. Even if a person has enough folate, a lack of vitamin B-12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia. Without enough vitamin B-12, folate cannot create DNA correctly. This causes large red blood cells called megaloblasts to form. These cells do not carry oxygen well to the organs and tissues in the body.

What to Know About the Folate Blood Test

Folate testing is commonly done after blood tests show results that are not normal. It is also important if someone has symptoms of folate deficiency. A folate test measures the amount of folate needed for normal growth and the normal development of a baby. A healthcare provider takes a blood sample in a medical place, like a doctor's office or lab. This process usually takes just a few minutes.

Before the test, a patient needs to fast for up to eight hours. Food can change folate levels, so fasting is very important for accurate folic acid measurements. Not fasting correctly may lead to false results that show higher folate levels. It is also smart to ask your healthcare provider if any medications might affect the test results. Some common drugs, like birth control pills, estrogen, folic acid supplements, and anti-seizure medications, can do this.

When a person is pregnant, having enough folate is extremely important. This helps the baby grow and develop well. A good folate level can reduce the risk of birth defects in the neural tube.

Sources

Allen, L. H. (2008). Causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Food and nutrition bulletin, 29(2_suppl1), S20-S34.

Eichholzer, M., Tönz, O., & Zimmermann, R. (2006). Folic acid: a public-health challenge. The Lancet, 367(9519), 1352-1361.

Green, R., & Miller, J. W. (1999, January). Folate deficiency beyond megaloblastic anemia: hyperhomocysteinemia and other manifestations of dysfunctional folate status. In Seminars in hematology (Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 47-64). [Sheboygan, Wis.]: Grune & Stratton,[c1964-.

Kamen, B. (1997, October). Folate and antifolate pharmacology. In Seminars in oncology (Vol. 24, No. 5 Suppl 18, pp. S18-30).

Eichholzer, M., Tönz, O., & Zimmermann, R. (2006). Folic acid: a public-health challenge. The Lancet, 367(9519), 1352-1361.

Tamura, T., & Picciano, M. F. (2006). Folate and human reproduction. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 83(5), 993-1016.