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Test Code LAB69 Folate (Folic Acid), Serum

Reporting Title

Folate

Methodology

Roche Diagnostics, Elecsys®/Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay RMH, GMC, MGH, MH 

Deficiencies of folic acid are associated with macrocytic and megaloblastic anemias, and with fetal neural tube defects in pregnancy.

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH, GMC, MGH, and MH Core Laboratories

Specimen Requirements

Due to interference, patients receiving high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day) should wait at least 8 hours after dose before having blood drawn.

ROCHE USERS

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s) from a fasting patient. (Green-top [heparin] tube, lavender-top [EDTA] tube, or hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note:

1. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

2. Do not draw from patients who are receiving therapy with methotrexate or leucovorin.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated 2 days
  Ambient  2 hours
  Frozen  1 month

PROTECT FROM LIGHT

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerate/Ambient OK/Frozen OK

Reference Values

Normal:                       3.1-17.5 ng/mL

Deficient:                    <2.2 ng/mL

Borderline deficient:   2.2-3.0 ng/mL

Excessive:                  >17.5 ng/mL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82746