What does a folate blood test mean?

What does a folate blood test mean?

What Does A Folate Blood Test Mean? The folate blood test is highly useful in measuring the levels of vitamin in the liquid portion of the blood (plasma or serum) to trace deficiencies. The test is also useful in knowing the quantity of folate inside red blood cells.

What is dietary folate equivalent (DFE)?

It stands for dietary folate equivalent. Nutritionists use that term because of the different ways our bodies process natural folate versus folic acid. Simply put, ounce for ounce, we get more folate from folic acid than we can from natural folate in foods.

What is the function of folate?

Folate, also known vitamin B9, is one of many essential vitamins needed for copying and synthesizing DNA, producing new cells, and supporting nerve and immune functions. As a water-soluble B vitamin, it’s naturally present in some foods, added to others and available as a dietary supplement in the form of folic acid.

What is the normal range for folate in blood?

If the test is conducted on the blood plasma, a normal range for folate is 2 to 10 ng/mL and if the test is conducted on red blood cells, a normal range is 140 to 960 ng/mL. Causes Of High Folate Levels In The Blood A high reflection of folate levels in the blood may not be a good sign.

What is the monoglutamyl form of folate?

Folic acid is the fully oxidized monoglutamate form of the vitamin that is used in fortified foods and most dietary supplements. Some dietary supplements also contain folate in the monoglutamyl form, 5-methyl-THF (also known as L-5- MTHF, 5-MTHF, L-methylfolate, and methylfolate).

How can I prevent folate deficiency?

Folate is also naturally found in some animal products, including liver and poultry. Generally speaking, it should be pretty easy to prevent folate deficiency by eating a well-balanced diet. But studies have shown that folate absorption varies widely from person to person.