To book at our Banur lab, call 8872524007.
What the Folic Acid test checks
Most labs measure serum folate, reported in ng/mL. Serum folate mirrors what you've eaten over the past few days. A less common version, red cell folate, reflects the previous two to three months, and some doctors prefer it when diet has recently changed. Your slip will usually just say "folate" or "folic acid"; we'll tell you which version is done when you book.
Why your doctor may order it
- a CBC showing large red cells (raised MCV) or megaloblastic anaemia
- tiredness, mouth ulcers or a smooth sore tongue
- low intake: little fresh green vegetables, pulses or fruit, or heavy alcohol use
- conditions that block absorption, such as coeliac disease
- long-term medicines that lower folate, for example methotrexate, phenytoin, sulfasalazine or trimethoprim
- before or in early pregnancy, when folate needs go up sharply
How to prepare
Fast overnight for about 8 hours if you can. A meal, especially one with dal, saag or fortified cereal, raises serum folate for a while and can make a low level look normal. Water is fine.
If you're taking folic acid tablets (very common in pregnancy), note when you last took one and tell us. Keep taking anything prescribed; the decision about timing belongs to your doctor.
Sample type and report time
- Sample: serum (red or yellow cap tube); red cell folate uses an EDTA tube
- Fasting: preferred, about 8 hours
- Report: same day or next day
A careful draw matters here. Red cells hold far more folate than serum, so a haemolysed (burst) sample can read falsely high, and we may ask to repeat it. Questions? Ring 8872524007.
Understanding your results
The WHO uses a serum folate below 3 ng/mL as a marker of deficiency, and many lab ranges start somewhere between 3 and 5 ng/mL. The range printed on your report is the one that applies, since ranges vary by lab and method.
Low folate can be associated with poor diet, alcohol, pregnancy, malabsorption, haemolytic anaemia (which uses folate quickly) and the medicines listed above. A high level is rarely a problem in itself and usually reflects supplements. Doctors are careful when folate is low and B12 is borderline, because giving folic acid alone can correct the anaemia while B12-related nerve damage carries on. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Is folate the same as folic acid?
Folate is the natural form in food; folic acid is the man-made form in tablets and fortified foods. The blood test measures both together.
Do I need to fast for a folic acid test?
Fasting for about 8 hours is preferred, because a recent meal can raise serum folate. Follow your doctor's instructions if they differ.
Can I get a folic acid test near me in Banur without travelling to Mohali?
Yes. You can give the sample at our M.C. Road lab, or book home sample collection in Banur and nearby villages.
Why did my doctor order folate and B12 together?
Both cause large red cells and similar symptoms, so measuring both shows which one is low, or whether both are.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
A fasting folic acid test is easiest first thing; we start collecting at 7:00 am. Call 8872524007, WhatsApp us a photo of the slip, or check opening hours.