What Does Folate (Vitamin B9) Mean?
Folate is a B vitamin essential for cell division and red blood cell formation. Deficiency causes fatigue and anemia, and is especially risky during pregnancy.
What Folate (Vitamin B9) Measures
Folate (vitamin B9) is needed to make DNA and form healthy red blood cells. Serum folate reflects recent intake; red blood cell folate reflects longer-term status. In pregnancy, adequate folate prevents neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
Normal Ranges
Deficient (serum)< 3 ng/mL
Normal (serum)3–20 ng/mL
Normal (RBC folate)280–791 ng/mL
Reference ranges may vary slightly by lab. Always use the range provided on your specific test report.
What Affects Your Folate (Vitamin B9) Level
- Low intake of leafy greens and legumes
- Alcohol (impairs absorption and storage)
- Pregnancy (greatly increased need)
- Medications: methotrexate, sulfasalazine, some antiseizure drugs
- MTHFR gene variants (reduce conversion to active form)
- Malabsorption (celiac, Crohn's)