About Our Folate (Folic acid) Test

Overview

Folic acid is part of the complex of B vitamins and is water soluble which means it is not stored in the body and you must continually include it in your diet in order to maintain adequate levels of folate. It is sourced from the diet from fruits such as citrus and dark leafy green vegetables which are excellent sources of folate. Most people get the necessary amount of folate from food, but not consuming enough folate can lead to a deficiency in as little as a few weeks. Anemia is one result of folic acid deficiency. The symptoms of Anemia include weakness and fatigue. This is because one of folate's main functions is in the production of red blood cells. Other causes of folate deficiency can be diet, disease, genetics, excessive consumption of alcohol, or taking certain medications like phenytoin, methotrexate, and sulfasalazine.

Test Contents

Folate (Folic acid) Test

Symptoms

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

When To Check

If you are pregnant, If you are planning on becoming pregnant, If you experience alcohol use disorder, If your diet does not include raw fruits and vegetables, If you have damage to your small intestine

How to test

Frequently Asked Questions