Folate, Serum

Overview:

Folate, also called vitamin B9, is needed to make DNA and to produce healthy red blood cells. It comes mainly from leafy green vegetables, legumes and fortified grain products. Deficiency causes a form of anemia in which red cells are larger than normal, and in pregnancy low folate is associated with neural tube defects in the developing baby, which is why supplementation is recommended before and during early pregnancy. Serum folate reflects recent intake and can rise after a single meal, so a result taken shortly after eating may not represent longer-term status.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients, Blood

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker