Skip to main content

Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

  or
  or
  or

FOLIC ACID

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2302    Geisinger Epic ID:  14960

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum or plasma 
 


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

2 mL of serum or plasma; minimum 0.5 mL


Patient preparation: 

Fasting specimen preferred.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow serum to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma within 2 hours of collection.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or frozen.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 1 day. Refrigerated: 2 days. Frozen: 28 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Hemolyzed samples are not acceptable.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

>4.5 ng/mL.


CPT code(s):  82746
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Folic acid.


Methodology: 
Electrochemiluminescence
Synonyms: 

Folate, FOL


Clinical significance: 

Folic acid deficiency is common in pregnant women, alcoholics, in patients whose diets do not include raw fruits and vegetables, and in people with structural damage to the small intestine.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/27/2024

Performing Locations