Alpha Medical Lab
Folate, RBC
Ordered Test Code:
RBCFOL
| Lab Test Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Test Name | Folate, RBC |
| Alpha’s Order Test Code | RBCFOL |
| Specimen Collection Tube | EDTA/Whole Blood |
| Collection Tube Handling | “2 mL frozen (EDTA) whole blood in a transport tube. Note: HCT testing cannot be performed on a frozen specimen. A default HCT result will be used for calculation of the RBC folate value.” |
| Minimum Volume | 0.2mL |
| Transport Temperture | Room Temp |
| Stability | “Folate (EDTA) Room temperature: 5 days Refrigerated: 5 days Frozen: 60 days Hematocrit Room temperature: 48 hours Refrigerated: 48 hours Frozen: Not acceptable” |
| Collection Instructions | Whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube sent at room temperature will have folate and hematocrit testing performed. Both the HCT and folate will be performed on this tube. If sample is sent frozen, a default hematocrit will be used for calculation of the RBC folate. Do not freeze as this will affect the HCT. |
Clinical Significance
Folate levels have diagnostic significance in nutritional deficiencies, especially in cases of severe alcoholism, function damage to the upper third of small bowel, pregnancy and various forms of megoblastic anemia. Since serum folate levels are subject to rapid changes reflecting diet and absorption, RBC folate may be a better diagnostic tool since the levels remain fairly constant.
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