Folate (red cell)
| Category | Biochemistry >> Endocrinology |
|---|---|
| Test background |
Folates are a class of vitamin compounds which serve as cofactors in the enzymatic transfer of single carbon units in many important metabolic pathways. They are necessary for nucleic acid and mitochondrial protein synthesis, as well as for amino acid metabolism. Folate must be consumed regularly. Serum folate levels indicate recent nutritional status, while red cell folate levels give a good index of long term folate status. Red cell folate measurement is complex. Folate deficiency may reflect impaired absorption or increased losses. Coeliac disease, bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and intestines, or surgery to remove part of the stomach or the intestines, all greatly reduce absorption. Increased losses: liver and kidney disease, alcoholism, or anti-seizure medications (phenytoin can decrease folate as can drugs such as metformin and methotrexate). |
| Clinical Indications |
Demonstrable macrocytic anaemia (as seen in red cell indices) Investigations of suspected subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (a deficiency not necessarily apparent in a patient's red cell indices) Repeated low serum folate results |
| Reference range | 126-480 μg/L |
| Sample & container required | EDTA (lavender top) |
| Sample volume | 0.5 mL |
| Transport storage | Stable at 2-8°C for 2 days. Freeze pending dispatch for analysis. Send to lab frozen. |
| Turnaround time | 1 week |