Sign in →

Test Code Billings Clinic: 4058 Folate, Serum

Important Note

Contact Billings Clinic Laboratory at 866-232-2522 prior to adding additional tests.

 

This test should not be requested on patients who have recently received methotrexate or other folic acid antagonist. For patients receiving methotrexate and leucovorin therapy, folate results should be interpreted with caution.

 

Do not test samples from patients who take high doses of biotin.

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Chemistry

Useful For

Used in the diagnosis and treatment of megaloblastic anemias.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Specimen Requirements

Serum should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.

 

Serum

  • Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s).
  • Spin down and send 1.0 mL of serum frozen

Storage/Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated 2 days
  Frozen (preferred) 1 month
  Ambient 8 hours

 

Reject Due To

  • Hemolysis
  • Samples frozen/thawed more than once

Reference Values

3.1 - 17.5 ng/mL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82746 - Folic acid; serum

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Folate 2284-8