RBC Folate

Last Modified: 8/21/2023 3:11:44 PM


Medical Necessity Documentation: Recommended as outpatient testing only
Client Notes:  
Patient Preparation:
12 hours Fasting
Specimen Requirements: 2.0 mL Whole Blood from a Lavender Top Tube - EDTA into an Amber Vial
Collection Instructions:

Protect from Light  whole blood to be poured into Amber Vial.
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL Whole Blood
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability:

Folate protected from light
5 days Ambient
5 days Refrigerated (preferred)

Hematocrit
48 hours Ambient
48 hours Refrigerated  (preferred)
Unacceptable Frozen
 
Rejection Criteria: Frozen; Excessive light exposure may alter Vitamin B12 and Folate values
Reference Range:

>280 ng/mL RBC
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments:  
Methodology: Immunoassay (IA)
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 change reflecting diet and absorption, RBC folate may be a better diagnostic tool since the levels remain fairly constant.
Documentation:  
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: 1 to 2 days
Days Performed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Sites Performed: Quest - Chantilly
PHL Test Code: RBCF
EPIC Test Code: LAB2938
Send Out Test Code: 467 / 14178
Alternate Test Names: Folate Red Blood Cell; Folate, RBC; Folic Acid; Folic Acid, RBC; RBC; RBC Folic Acid; Red Blood Cell Folate
Included Tests:  
CPT Coding: 82747

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