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A serum folate level of less than 7 nmol/L (3 μg/L) is indicative of folate deficiency; Red blood cell folate testing is not routinely performed, since serum folate is sufficient in most cases, however, if there is a strong suspicion of folate deficiency despite a normal serum folate level, a red cell folate test may be performed.
A serum folate of 3 μg/L or lower indicates deficiency. [98] Serum folate level reflects folate status, but erythrocyte folate level better reflects tissue stores after intake. An erythrocyte folate level of 140 μg/L or lower indicates inadequate folate status. Serum folate reacts more rapidly to folate intake than erythrocyte folate. [113]
It thus is also a biomarker for intracellular levels of folate. The FIGLU test is used to identify vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, folate deficiency, and liver failure or liver disease. [1] [2] It is elevated with folate trapping, where it is accompanied by decreased methylmalonic acid, increased folate and a decrease in homocysteine. [3]
A blood test can be performed to quantify total homocysteine concentration in the plasma, of which approximately 80% is generally protein-bound. Classification of hyperhomocysteinemia is defined with respect to serum concentration as follows: [citation needed] Moderate: 15–30 nmol/mL (or μmol/L) Intermediate: 30–100 nmol/mL; Severe: > 100 ...
Reference ranges for urine tests are described below: Measurement Lower limit Upper limit Unit Urinary specific gravity: 1.003 [1] [2] 1.030 [1] [2] g/mL Urobilinogen:
This historic test consisted, in its first step, of taking an oral dose of radiolabelled vitamin B 12, followed by quantitation of the vitamin in the patient's urine over a 24-hour period via measurement of the radioactivity. A second step of the test repeats the regimen and procedure of the first step, with the addition of oral intrinsic factor.
As folate is vital in the first trimester of pregnancy for healthy fetal development, the use of antifolates is strongly contraindicated in pregnancy and carries significant teratogenic risk. Low doses of methotrexate can deplete folate stores and cause side-effects that are similar to folate deficiency. Both high-folate diets and supplemental ...
Deficiencies of Vitamin B 12 or folate produce a macrocytic anemia (large cell anemia) in which the RDW is elevated in roughly two-thirds of all cases. However, a varied size distribution of red blood cells is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia, and as such shows an increased RDW in virtually all cases.