Folic Acid - Test
Alternate Names : Folate - Test
Definition A test that measures the amount of folate in the blood.
Why is the Test Performed?
This test is used to evaluate for folic acid deficiency. It can be performed on either whole blood or red blood cells, but measuring folate in red blood cells is more accurate.
Folic acid, one of the B vitamins, is necessary for synthesis of nucleotides (which are the building blocks of DNA). A deficiency of DNA synthesis can most easily be seen in rapidly-dividing cells, such as immature red blood cells. Red blood cells that are formed in the presence of insufficient folic acid have shortened life spans, are larger than normal, and have reduced ability to carry oxygen.
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