What is normal folate serum level?

For adults, normal serum folate levels range from 3–10 ng/mL. Normal red blood cell folate levels are typically between 140–630 ng/mL.

What does a serum folate blood test show?

Test Overview A folate test measures the amount of folate in the blood. Folate is one of many B vitamins. The body needs folate for normal growth and to make red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Folate also is important for the normal development of a baby (fetus).

What does it mean if serum folate is high?

High folate might have other harmful effects relating to low B12. A study of elderly Americans in 2007 found that high folate blood levels for patients with normal B12 indicated lower risks of anemia and cognitive impairment. But in patients with low B12, high folate was associated with a higher risk (Morris, 2007).

What is a good folate number?

The normal range is 2.7 to 17.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 6.12 to 38.52 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).

What is a low folate level in blood?

Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin.

Why do doctors check folate levels?

Diagnosis. Folate testing is most commonly performed to check for a folate deficiency, which means low levels of folate. 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.

What does a low folate level mean?

Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body.

How do you read folate test results?

The range that’s considered typical for folic acid is 2.7 to 17 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). A result lower than 2.7 ng/ml can mean you have a folic acid deficiency. While a result higher than 17 ng/mL isn’t usually a problem, it could mean you have low levels of vitamin B12.

Is a folate level of 20 good?

The usual reference range of serum folate is 2.5-20 ng/mL. By statistical definition, 2-5% of healthy individuals will have a serum folate level of less than 2.5 ng/mL; hence, the serum folate level cannot be used alone to establish the diagnosis of folate deficiency.

Is folate and B12 the same thing?

Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that can’t function properly.

Does low folic acid cause weight gain?

Furthermore, folate deficiency may lead to body weight gain and adiposity [12]. Several studies has indicated a link between low folate intake or low serum folate concentration and greater body mass, BMI, overall fat accumulation, and higher waist circumference [13,14,15,16].