Folate

About the Test

Purpose of the test

Measuring folate assesses whether the body has a healthy level of this essential nutrient. Folate testing is generally performed to diagnose and monitor health conditions caused by folate deficiency.

Folate testing is most commonly performed to check for a folate deficiency, which means low levels of the nutrient. Your health care provider may order a folate test to follow up on an abnormal blood test. Testing may also be ordered if you are experiencing symptoms that could be caused by a folate deficiency.

Detecting low folate levels may lead to a diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia. The condition of anemia is when the body does not have enough red blood cells. Low levels of folate or low levels of vitamin B12 cause megaloblastic anemia.

If you are being treated for a folate deficiency, you may be monitored with folate testing to see if your levels have become normal. Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease may have routine testing of folate and other nutrients because their digestive system doesn’t absorb them well and they may take medications that further affect the absorption of folate, especially if they have symptoms of other health problems like anemia.

What does the test measure?

A folate test measures the level of this essential vitamin in your body. Folate plays an important role in many vital processes in the body. The body needs folate to:

• Grow tissues and cells
• Create, use, and break down proteins
• Make DNA, the unique genetic code found in all humans cells
• Form red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body

During pregnancy, extra folate is needed to enable proper growth of the tissues and cells of the fetus.

Folate is naturally present in many foods, including leafy greens, citrus fruits, beef liver, nuts, and beans. In addition, a synthetic (artificially created) form of folate, folic acid, is added to many foods. Folate deficiencies are uncommon in healthy individuals who eat an adequate diet.

Unlike some vitamins stored in fat tissues, folate is water soluble. This means that if you consume more folate than you need, the unneeded amounts of the vitamin leave your body through your urine.

When should I get this test?

Folate testing is most often performed to check for a deficiency. Your health care provider may order folate testing if you have had an abnormal complete blood count (CBC) or blood smear test result suggesting megaloblastic anemia. In this type of anemia, the red blood cells are abnormally large, deformed, and do not mature properly.

Megaloblastic anemia may be caused by folate or vitamin B12 deficiency. In its early stages, megaloblastic anemia often does not cause any symptoms.

Your doctor may also order folate testing because you are showing symptoms of folate deficiency, which include:

• Weakness and fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Open sores on the tongue or inside mouth
• Color change of hair or skin
• Diarrhea
• Confusion
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headache

If you are currently being treated with folate supplementation because of a previously diagnosed folate deficiency, your doctor may test your folate to ensure treatment has been effective.