Serum folate (vitamin B9), the circulating form used for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism. Commonly checked alongside vitamin B12, especially with anemia, elevated homocysteine, fatigue, or restricted diets.
Serum folate measures circulating vitamin B9, essential for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and breaking down homocysteine. It's ordered when investigating anemia, fatigue, elevated homocysteine, or when dietary intake is restricted (vegetarian/vegan diets, certain medications).
When elevated: Elevated serum folate is uncommon and typically reflects recent high dietary intake or supplementation rather than a disease state. Persistently high levels may occur with certain vitamin supplements but do not usually cause clinical harm. When low: Low folate can indicate inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, or increased demand (pregnancy, hemolysis, rapid cell turnover). Deficiency may contribute to anemia, elevated homocysteine, and neurological symptoms, though laboratory findings must be interpreted alongside clinical context.
Folate supports oxygen-carrying capacity and recovery through red blood cell formation, making it relevant for endurance athletes. Deficiency can impair energy metabolism and increase homocysteine, potentially affecting cardiovascular health; however, folate is not a primary performance marker for most athletes unless dietary intake is limited or anemia is suspected.
Turnaround Time
3 days (up to 12 days)
Order online
Choose your lab and check out. We send your lab requisition automatically — no doctor visit needed.
Get your sample collected
Visit a lab service center near you for a quick blood draw (or book at-home phlebotomy where available).
See your results
Your results land in your Insider portal, ready to review and act on — that easy.
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$5.90$60
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Versus the typical direct-to-consumer retail price for this test (illustrative — consumer prices vary by provider and region).
$5.90
$17.90
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Serum folate (vitamin B9), the circulating form used for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and homocysteine metabolism. Commonly checked alongside vitamin B12, especially with anemia, elevated homocysteine, fatigue, or restricted diets.
Serum folate measures circulating vitamin B9, essential for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and breaking down homocysteine. It's ordered when investigating anemia, fatigue, elevated homocysteine, or when dietary intake is restricted (vegetarian/vegan diets, certain medications).
When elevated: Elevated serum folate is uncommon and typically reflects recent high dietary intake or supplementation rather than a disease state. Persistently high levels may occur with certain vitamin supplements but do not usually cause clinical harm.
The Folate, Serum test starts at $5.90 at Quest or BioReference. No doctor's visit and no insurance needed; we do not bill insurance. Fitomics Insider members pay from $4.90.
Results for the Folate, Serum test are typically ready about 3 days after your draw, and up to 12 days for some samples. Your results land in your Insider portal.
No. When you order the Folate, Serum test from Fitomics Research Labs, a licensed physician in our 50-state network reviews and signs your requisition after checkout, and it lands in your portal and inbox. Then visit any Labcorp, Quest, or BioReference patient service center for your draw; results post to your Insider portal.
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