Fasting overnight is preferred. Specimens are stable refrigerated for 48 hrs. Invert tube 5-6 times to mix blood. Spin for 10 minutes at 1100-1300 g in a swing bucket unit or 15 minutes in a fixed angle. Remember to label aliquot with patient name, DOB,test and collect date. Specimens do not require to be protected from light.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated or Frozen Serum/Plasma
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room Temperature: not recommended; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 6 months
Ordering Recommendations
Folate is the form of folic acid present in blood. Folate is a water soluble vitamin (occasionally called vitamin B9) that must be converted to a hydrofolate to be biologically active. Folate metabolites are essential co-factors for numerous enzyme reactions and required for normal DNA synthesis. This test is most frequently ordered when there is a suspicion of anemia.
Performed
Monday - Sunday; Days, Evenings, Nights
Methodology
Chemiluminescence
Reported
2 - 4 hours
Performing Lab
Chemistry
Other Performing Labs
Arnett Chemistry
Synonyms
6689
Folate, SerPl Quant
Vitamin B9, SerPl
Folic Acid
Reference Interval
> than or = to 5.9 ng/mL
CPT Codes
82746
LOINC Codes
NAME
LOINC
Order
Folate SerPl QN
2284-8
Result
Folate SerPl QN
2284-8
Test Code (Outreach Synonym)
6689
Catalog Code
686095
Collection
Collect
Blood, Orange
Preferred Draw Volume
3 mL
Minimum Draw Volume
0.2 mL
Other Acceptable Containers
Gold, Lt Green
Pediatric Collection
1 microtainer
Unacceptable Conditions
Samples thawed more than once. No hemolysis.
Collection Comments
Fasting overnight is preferred. Specimens are stable refrigerated for 48 hrs. Invert tube 5-6 times to mix blood. Spin for 10 minutes at 1100-1300 g in a swing bucket unit or 15 minutes in a fixed angle. Remember to label aliquot with patient name, DOB,test and collect date. Specimens do not require to be protected from light.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated or Frozen Serum/Plasma
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room Temperature: not recommended; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 6 months
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
Folate is the form of folic acid present in blood. Folate is a water soluble vitamin (occasionally called vitamin B9) that must be converted to a hydrofolate to be biologically active. Folate metabolites are essential co-factors for numerous enzyme reactions and required for normal DNA synthesis. This test is most frequently ordered when there is a suspicion of anemia.
