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Laboratory Medicine

Test catalogue

RBC Folate

Test Name

RBC Folate

Lavender Tube Specimen Type / Requirements

Container Type = 1 Lavender (EDTA)

Minimum Testing Volume = 2 mL Whole Blood

Tube must fill to at least ½ or greater of its vacuum capacity

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Collect sample in lavender top (EDTA). Studies have shown that degradation of folate due to fluorescent light up to one week after blood collection is small and unlikely to affect accuracy of results.

Write your initials, date and time of collection on the collection label or requisition.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: : Place samples in -20°C freezer if test won’t be performed in 2hrs.

Rejection Criteria: Gross hemolysis, unlabeled or samples of non sufficient quantity.

Stability: Whole blood is stable for 2 hours at 20-25°C, 72 hours at 2-8°C, and 1 month at -20°C (only EDTA-blood). Frozen sample preferred. Hemolysate sample stable for 1 month at -20 °C. Can withstand 3 freeze/thaw cycles.

Transportation: Send sample to core lab as soon as possible.

Required Documentation

Turnaround Time (TAT)

48 Hours Routine

Test Utilization

Reference Value

Normal >1475 nmol/L

Deficient < 1475 nmol/L

Test Code

RBFOL

Methodology

Competitive binding principle

Testing Location

SMH-Biochemistry

Other Information

Last Updated: Sept 02, 2022