Folic Acid Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure, Range, & More

Table of Content

Introduction to the Folic Acid Test

A folic acid test measures the amount of folic acid in the blood. Also known as vitamin B9, this test is crucial for many bodily functions, including making DNA. Our body needs folate for normal growth and to produce red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Folate is an umbrella term, which means it is used to cover a broad category of things. Hence, folate is a natural variant of B9 and is found in many foods. An inadequate level of folate in your body is called folate deficiency, leading to anemia and other changes to your health. So, doctors may suggest a folic acid test if a patient complains about weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and mental changes. Besides, your healthcare provider may recommend a folic acid test after an abnormal blood test result or he suspects that low folate levels are creating health problems. 

If your doctor has suggested a folic acid test, get yourself tested by Redcliffe Lab- Healthy India ki trusted lab. The test involves blood; hence, the folic acid blood test measures the folate concentration in the serum or RBC. Ours is the best omnichannel pan India diagnostic service provider where you can book a folic acid test at home. This means our phlebotomist will come to your home to collect the blood sample, ensuring a painless procedure from start to finish. Folate deficiency can lead to several health problems. So, why wait? Get yourself tested in time to avoid potential complications. 

Test Details:

Purpose of the Folic Acid Test

Folic acid is also called vitamin B9, and the folic acid test helps determine how much folic acid is in your blood. The test is often performed with a vitamin B12 test of the blood. The purpose of the test is to find out the cause of anemia, which means not having enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the cells in your body. A healthcare provider often recommends the test when he suspects symptoms suggestive of the same. Some common symptoms suggesting a folic acid test are: 

• Anemia: The test is recommended to determine the cause of anemia by identifying whether the anemia is due to a folate deficiency or a lack of vitamin B12. You may feel fatigue, weakness in the body, pale skin, dizziness, or cold hands and feet, which are common signs of anemia. 
• Anemia alone cannot confirm a folate deficiency when assessing nutritional status. Individuals, such as pregnant moms or those with malabsorption syndromes, are at greater risk for deficiencies. Hence, a test is suggested to assess the nutrition status of an expecting mom to prevent birth abnormalities, allow the baby to grow normally, and treat other conditions within time. 
• Follow up on an abnormal blood test: A folic acid blood test is also suggested to follow up on an abnormal blood test if you are experiencing symptoms that a folate deficiency could cause. 

Other conditions when your doctor may prompt a folic acid blood test:

Besides assessing whether the body has healthy levels of vitamin B9, there are certain conditions when your doctor may suggest a folic acid test, such as: 

• Detecting low folate levels: Megaloblastic anemia (deficiency of red blood cells) occurs when the body has low levels of folate or vitamin B12.
• To check if your folate levels have become normal, Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are asked for routine testing of folate and other nutrients. Further, their medication can affect the absorption of folate. 

No matter the reason, if your healthcare provider has suggested a folic acid test based on your symptoms, risk factors, or other reasons, getting tested in time is critical to evaluating the levels of folic acid and taking appropriate measures accordingly. 

What does the folic acid test detect?

The folic acid test detects folic acid levels in the blood to identify deficiencies, ensure adequate nutrition intake, and diagnose conditions such as megaloblastic anemia. The test is recommended to determine if the folic acid levels are within the normal range. The need for the test arises to assess whether an individual has a deficiency of sufficient or excessive folic acid. 

Preparation of the folic acid test

The folic acid test involves a blood sample from the vein in your arm and will usually take less than a few minutes. It requires little preparation. You can eat normally and drink water before the test. However, below is step-by-step information for the folic acid test. 

• If you are taking medicines, then talk to your doctor about them. He may ask you to continue or stop taking them before the test to avoid interfering with the results. 
• Avoid strenuous exercise: More intensive exercises before the test could imbalance your hormones or increase the risk of cardiovascular events. 

For any questions or doubts regarding the test preparations, you can consult your doctor to avoid complications. 

What is the procedure for the folic acid test?

The serum folic acid test procedure includes drawing a blood sample from the vein in your arm. It involves easy steps, which are as follows: 

• Our phlebotomist may ask you to make a fist, ensuring the veins are more prominent. 
• Once the veins are visible, he will cleanse the venipuncture site with a primary disinfectant. This is to prevent infection. It is followed by applying a tourniquet. 
• Then, he will insert the needle into the vein to draw the blood. Further, he will remove the tourniquet and apply a bandage to the puncture site to prevent excessive bleeding or infection. 
• The sample blood collected by our phlebotomist will then be transferred to the laboratory for analysis. 

What are the risks associated with the folic acid test? 

The folic acid blood test is simple, but it carries a slight risk. Drawing blood from your vein might cause fainting or lightheadedness. 

Other slight risks from having blood drawn may include: 

• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection. 
• Slight pain or bruise on the punctured area

You need not worry. Most of these symptoms fade away after a few days. However, if they don't disappear, seeking medical attention is advisable. 

What do the folic test reports indicate?

The folic acid test reports indicate your blood's level of folic acid (vitamin B9). The test results can suggest the following: 

• Low folic acid levels: This means insufficient levels of folic acid and might result in megaloblastic anemia. 
• Normal folic acid levels: The normal range of folic acid in the blood is between 2.7 and 17.0 nanograms per milliliter, which indicates sufficient intake and absorption of folic acid. 
• High folic acid levels indicate high doses of folic acid supplements. 

What if the folic acid test reports are positive? 

If serum folic acid test reports are positive, that means high folic acid levels. This suggests further evaluation by a healthcare provider to confirm the underlying cause and suggest appropriate measures for your health.

Who should take the folic acid test? 

The folic acid test is recommended for individuals showing symptoms of folic acid or vitamin B deficiency, pregnant women, individuals with symptoms of anemia, individuals who require monitoring for specific health reasons, individuals with malabsorption disorders, and people with certain medications. 

What causes high levels of folic acid in the blood?

Factors responsible for causing high levels of folic acid include eating foods rich in folic acid or taking pills containing folic acid. Certain medical conditions, genetic factors, and reduced metabolic clearance contribute to elevated folic acid in the blood. Consult a healthcare provider if you are taking supplements to monitor folic levels in the blood. This is to avoid potential health risks associated with them. 

What are the common symptoms related to the disease? 

Some common folate deficiency symptoms suggestive of a folate test include weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, abnormal heartbeat, discoloration of hair or skin, diarrhea, confusion, depression, headache, open sores on the tongue or inside the mouth, difficulty concentrating, and confusion. 

Book a Folic Acid Test at an Affordable Folic Acid Test Price!

Any delay in your health, at any stage, could be drastic. Therefore, if your healthcare provider has suggested a test, you can book a folic acid blood test from Redcliffe Labs. The folic acid test price with Redcliffe Labs is INR 999. We provide doorstep blood sample collection convenience to help you get tested comfortably. Further, we also offer express slots, get your sample picked up within 45 minutes, and accurate reports within a specified time. So, why wait? Book a folic acid test with us now! 

Folic Acid Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Folic Acid Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

Conclusion: 

A folic acid test is a valuable tool for determining the cause of anemia, mainly megaloblastic anemia. By diagnosing the actual cause of folate deficiency, a healthcare professional can begin treatment to address the deficiency, thereby improving your health and overall well-being.