What is a high folate serum level?
The reference range of the red blood cell (RBC) folate level also varies by age, as follows : Adults: 140-628 ng/mL or 317-1422 nmol/L. Children: Over 160 ng/mL or over 362 nmol/L.
What does folate serum test mean?
Test Overview A folate test measures the amount of folate in the blood. Folate is one of many B vitamins. The body needs folate for normal growth and to make red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Folate also is important for the normal development of a baby (fetus).
What is folate serum low?
Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin.
What is a low folate level?
What is considered a low folate level?
An erythrocyte folate level less than 340 nmol/L (150 ng/mL) indicates reduced body stores. However, routine red cell folate testing is not necessary because serum folate alone is sufficient in most cases. In many cases of folate deficiency the cause is not obvious from the clinical picture or dietary history.
What is a good folate number?
Normal Results. The normal range is 2.7 to 17.0 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or 6.12 to 38.52 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your test results.
Can too much folate be harmful?
You can’t get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount. Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage.
Why would folate levels be low?
Folate deficiency caused by a lack of dietary folate is more common in people who have a generally unbalanced and unhealthy diet, people who regularly misuse alcohol, and people following a fad diet that does not involve eating good sources of folate.
What is a low folate level in blood?
Can folate be too high?
What causes low serum folate?
Most folate-deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of folic acid in the diet. Leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains are natural sources of folic acid. Folate-deficiency anemia in pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn’t develop normally.
Which foods have the least folic acid?
Seeds&Nuts. Eating seeds and nuts is a great way to ensure folic acid intake.
What are normal B12 and folate levels?
The normal ranges for B12 and folate levels based on the above methodology are: B12 (115 to 1000 pmol/L) (B12 levels just within the normal range can lead to symptoms so results 115-150 should be assessed on an individual basis) Folate (>3µg/L) Diet assessment and advice is essential as dietary deficiency can be easily corrected.
What are normal folate levels?
Keeping this in consideration, what is a good folate level? If the test is done on your blood plasma, a normal range for folate is 2 to 10 ng/mL. If the test is done on red blood cells, a normal range is 140 to 960 ng/mL. If your folate results are low, it may mean you have: A diet that doesn’t provide enough folate.
Is it bad to have high folate levels?
Observational studies report that high dietary or plasma folate levels may possess chemopreventive properties for cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, recent folate intervention trials suggest that folate supplementation may instead pose an increased risk for individuals at a higher risk of these chronic diseases.