Folate (folic acid, B9) – Vitamin B9 for blood formation and cell division

What is Folate (folic acid, B9)?

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that the body needs to form new DNA and new red blood cells. Unlike B12, folate is only stored in the body in small amounts, which means a deficiency can develop relatively quickly if dietary intake is too low.

Why is Folate (folic acid, B9) measured in a health check?

Folate is measured to investigate anaemia, explain large red blood cells, and assess status before and during pregnancy, when the need for folate increases sharply for the development of the foetus. The test is also taken for fatigue and difficulty concentrating, where B12 and folate deficiency is one of several possible explanations.

High and low values

High value: High values are uncommon and are usually seen after taking folic acid supplements or high-dose dietary supplements shortly before the test, and rarely have clinical significance on their own.

Low value: Low values indicate folate deficiency, which can cause fatigue, paleness, and large red blood cells, and during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of neural tube defects in the foetus.

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, sexes and ages and are stated in your result. The information here does not replace medical assessment.

How is folate measured in a health check?

Folate is analysed from a standard venous blood sample, often taken as part of the same draw as the rest of a health check. You don't need to fast specifically for folate, but if the health check also includes fasting glucose or blood lipids, fasting applies to the whole sample, so it's simplest to book a morning appointment.

If you've just started taking folic acid supplements or eaten a high-dose B-vitamin supplement shortly before the test, the value can be temporarily higher than what reflects your usual intake. Always tell whoever interprets the result if you're taking supplements, as this affects the assessment of a folate blood test.

Who should check their folate?

Folate deficiency is more common than one might think, especially in people with a one-sided diet, high alcohol intake, or gastrointestinal disease affecting absorption. Because the body's folate stores are limited, a deficiency can develop relatively quickly compared with B12 deficiency, which can take years before it's noticed.

• Women planning pregnancy or who are pregnant, whose need for folate increases sharply
• People with a one-sided diet or low intake of vegetables, legumes, and whole grains
• People with high alcohol consumption, since alcohol impairs absorption and storage
• People with gastrointestinal disease, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
• People being investigated for anaemia or large red blood cells
• People taking medications that affect folate metabolism, such as certain epilepsy medicines

How is folate interpreted alongside B12 and the blood count?

Folate and B12 work closely together in the body's production of red blood cells, and a deficiency in either can cause the same type of anaemia with large, immature red blood cells. In a broad health check, folate is therefore interpreted together with B12, haemoglobin, and MCV to see which of the vitamins is behind an abnormal blood count.

Sometimes both folate and B12 are low at the same time, especially with a one-sided diet or impaired absorption in the gut. If only folate is low while B12 and the blood count are normal, it can still be an early sign that the store is being depleted, which makes a folate blood test useful even before symptoms appear.

How often should the test be repeated?

With normal values and no symptoms, it's usually enough to check folate as part of a regular health check every other year, or when new symptoms appear. If a deficiency has been diagnosed and supplement treatment is ongoing, the value is usually followed up after a few months to check that the store has been restored. Before and during pregnancy, checks instead follow the midwife's and healthcare provider's routines, which often involve closer follow-up than a regular health check.

Frequently asked questions about Folate (folic acid, B9)

Health checks that include Folate (folic acid, B9)

Folate (folic acid, B9) is included in 8 of Labkollen's health checks. Analysis name in the result: Folat.

• Man +

  49 markers

  Labkollens mest omfattande kontroll för män – inklusive testosteron, PSA och hjärt-kärlmarkörer.

  2 095 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 676 kr

  See the test

• Kvinna +

  44 markers

  Labkollens mest omfattande kontroll för kvinnor – inklusive järnstatus, sköldkörtel och hormoner.

  2 095 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 676 kr

  See the test

• Standard

  37 markers

  Bred hälsokontroll över blodsocker, blodfetter, blodvärde, lever, njurar, sköldkörtel och vitaminer.

  1 795 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 436 kr

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• Seniorkollen

  32 markers

  Anpassad kontroll för dig över 65 med fokus på hjärta, njurar, sköldkörtel och näringsstatus.

  1 299 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 039 kr

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• Gravid

  26 markers

  Kontroll under graviditet – blodvärde, järn, sköldkörtel, vitaminer och hCG.

  1 099 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 879 kr

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• Vitamin- och mineralkollen

  18 markers

  D-vitamin, B12, folat, järn och mineraler för dig som vill kolla näringsstatus.

  1 099 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 879 kr

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• Uthållighetssport

  16 markers

  För löpare, cyklister och simmare – järnstatus, energiomsättning och återhämtning.

  1 499 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 199 kr

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• Mag- och tarmkollen

  13 markers

  Kalprotektin, glutenantikroppar och näringsstatus vid magbesvär.

  1 099 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 879 kr

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Guides covering Folate (folic acid, B9)

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