Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: 8 hours recommended
- Turn-around: 1–2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection of folate deficiency before symptoms develop
- Pregnancy planning support to prevent neural tube defects
- Cost-effective screening without doctor visits or appointments
- Convenient results delivered securely to your online account
- Professional-grade laboratory testing with physician review available
- Quick turnaround for timely health decisions and interventions
Who Is This Test For?
- Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant
- Individuals with poor dietary intake or restrictive diets
- People experiencing fatigue, weakness, or unexplained anemia
- Those taking medications that interfere with folate absorption
- Individuals with digestive disorders affecting nutrient absorption
- Anyone monitoring folate levels during supplementation treatment
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online – No appointment needed, just select your test
- Visit lab – Quick blood draw at any convenient location
- Get results – Secure online delivery within 1-2 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test measures folate (vitamin B9) levels in your blood serum to detect deficiency.
Do I need to fast before testing? Yes, fasting for 8 hours is recommended for most accurate results.
What if my folate levels are low? Low levels may indicate deficiency requiring dietary changes or supplementation under medical guidance.
Can I take this test if I'm pregnant? Yes, folate testing is especially important during pregnancy and preconception planning.
How accurate is this test? Laboratory testing demonstrates 96% sensitivity and 71% specificity for detecting folate deficiency (Mayo Clinic 2020).
Should I stop taking supplements before testing? Avoid folic acid supplements 3-5 days before testing if possible for accurate baseline levels.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Folate Serum Test measures vitamin B9 levels in your blood to detect deficiency. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and proper cell division (Mayo Clinic 2020). This test identifies folate deficiency before it causes megaloblastic anemia, neurological symptoms, or serious birth defects. The test uses competitive-binding receptor assay methodology to quantify folate concentrations in serum samples, providing critical information about your body's most readily available folate stores.
Who would benefit from this test?
Women of childbearing age benefit most, as adequate folate prevents neural tube defects during pregnancy (ACOG 2023). Individuals with risk factors including poor diet, alcohol use, malabsorption disorders, or certain medications should consider testing. People experiencing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or large red blood cells on blood tests may have underlying folate deficiency. Those with inflammatory bowel disease require routine monitoring due to poor nutrient absorption.
When should I order a Folate (Folic Acid) Serum Test?
Order this test when experiencing symptoms like unexplained fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath. Women should test at least one month before conception to ensure adequate folate levels (CDC 2012). Consider testing if you have risk factors including poor dietary intake, alcohol use, digestive disorders, or take medications affecting folate absorption. Retest 6-12 weeks after starting supplementation to monitor treatment response.
How do I interpret the results?
Folate Level ≥ 4.0 mcg/L
- What it means: Normal folate status
- Typical action: Continue current diet/supplementation
Folate Level < 4.0 mcg/L
- What it means: Folate deficiency
- Typical action: Increase folate intake, consider supplementation
Folate Level ≥ 13.0 mcg/L
- What it means: Optimal for pregnancy
- Typical action: Adequate for neural tube defect prevention
Normal levels are ≥4.0 mcg/L, while values <4.0 mcg/L suggest folate deficiency requiring intervention (Mayo Clinic 2020).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 8 hours before your blood draw for optimal accuracy. Avoid folic acid supplements 3-5 days before testing if possible to establish baseline levels. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol before testing. Inform your healthcare provider about medications, especially methotrexate or other antifolate drugs, as these can affect results.
How often should I get tested?
- High-risk individuals: Annually
- During supplementation: 6–12 weeks after starting
- Pregnancy planning: 1 month before conception
- Malabsorption disorders: Every 6 months
Why early detection matters
Folate deficiency can progress silently before causing serious complications. Early detection prevents megaloblastic anemia, neurological symptoms, and birth defects. In women of childbearing age, adequate folate levels must be established before conception, as neural tube development occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. Post-fortification data shows mandatory folic acid fortification reduced neural tube defects by approximately 50% in the United States (CDC 2012).
Related tests you may consider
Vitamin B12 Test – Essential companion test since B12 and folate deficiencies cause similar megaloblastic anemia symptoms. Combined testing provides comprehensive evaluation of vitamin-related anemia.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Reveals macrocytic anemia and elevated mean corpuscular volume, which are hallmarks of folate deficiency confirming clinical significance.
Methylmalonic Acid Urine Test, GC/MS/MS – Measures methylmalonic acid levels in urine using advanced GC/MS/MS technology to help detect vitamin B12 deficiency and evaluate metabolic function.
