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Test Code LAB69 Folate (Folic Acid), Serum

Reporting Title

Folate

Methodology

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

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, MH, OBH 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