Folic acid - test
Folic Acid Test
Folic acid is an essential vitamin B used to prevent neural tube defects and other health problems. A folic acid test is a laboratory blood test to measure the level of folic acid in the blood. The test may be done to diagnose and/or monitor conditions related to deficiencies or gains in this vitamin.
Preparation
Patients need not prepare for the test in most cases. In some cases, patients may be asked to fast for 8 hours before the test.
Procedure
The procedure is fairly simple. A health care professional draws a small amount of blood from a vein in the patient's arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results will generally be available within a few days.
Types
Folic acid tests may be divided into two broad categories: 1) serum/plasma folic acid tests, and 2) red blood cell (RBC) folate tests.
- Serum/plasma folic acid tests measure the concentration of folic acid present in the patient's liquid bloodstream.
- RBC folate tests measure the amount of folate present in the patient's red blood cells.
Risks
Risks associated with the blood test are typically minimal. Some patients may experience slight discomfort or bruising at the needle site. In rare cases, infections or excessive bleeding may occur.
Why
The test is used to assess the patient's folic acid levels. Elevated or decreased levels may be an indication of certain underlying conditions, such as pernicious anemia, celiac disease, liver disease, or malabsorption.
When
Doctors may order a blood test for folic acid when a patient is pregnant or has a family history of folic acid-associated disorders. The test may also be ordered when a patient has signs and symptoms associated with folic acid deficiency, such as anemia, mouth or tongue sores, or feelings of fatigue.
