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Folate in Serum

Water soluble B-vitamin (B9) needed for DNA synthesis, methylation, and red blood cell formation. Serum folate reflects recent dietary and supplement intake over the preceding days.
Also known as:
Folate - Vitamin B9S-folateVitamin B9Folic Acid.

Folate ranges

Interpret your result
"Normal" lab range for Folate is between 4.6 and 34.8 ng/mL:
4.6
34.8
According to OptimalDX, Folate should be between 15 and 27 ng/mL:
15
27
Optimal range
Optimal range for Folate appears to be between 13 and 27 ng/mL:
5
13
27
35
Why this optimal range?
Preliminary range is based on functional health organizations including but not limited to those listed above.

What a low value may mean:

Common reasons for low Folate:

  • Low folate usually reflects inadequate intake — diets low in leafy greens and legumes, or losses from prolonged cooking (folate is heat-labile).

    Other causes: malabsorption (celiac disease, IBD, bariatric surgery), chronic alcohol use, increased demand (pregnancy, lactation, chronic hemolysis, exfoliative skin disorders), and folate-depleting medications (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, trimethoprim, phenytoin and other anticonvulsants, metformin).

    ,

What a high value may mean:

Common reasons for high Folate:

  • High folate is most often intake-driven — recent folic acid or B-complex supplementation, fortified foods, or a high-folate meal, since serum folate reflects intake over the preceding days.

    It can also accompany vitamin B12 deficiency (the "methyl-folate trap"), where folate accumulates as methyl-THF and can mask the underlying B12 deficiency. Reduced kidney clearance can also raise levels.

Images:

Low folate was associated to substantial rise in all-cause mortality

Low folate was associated to substantial rise in all-cause mortality

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Zsolt Szabo
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