Folate is also known as vitamin B9. It is essential for human health – it plays an important role in

DNA synthesis and repair processes.

It is especially important for pregnant women because its deficiency increases the risk of fetal neural tube defects.

Studies confirm, that most people do not get the required amount of folium during the day, so in some countries bread flour and many of its products are artificially enriched with folate.

The name “folic acid” refers to this supplement added to foods. Adults have about 3 months’ worth of folate stored in the body.

The recommended daily intake of folic acid for an adult is 400 µg, and for pregnant women it is 600 µg.

Folium and pregnancy

Pregnant women need an increased amount of folate. It is essential for normal development of a

fetus – folate deficiency during early pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube defects (for

example, spina bifida).

In contrast, in women who take a daily folate level before and during pregnancy, there are far fewer cases of such defects.

The recommended daily intake of folate is at least 400 µg for women of childbearing potential.

Which product contains folium?

Folium contains many nutrients, these are – Liver, beans and other legumes, satin, green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, cabbage), nuts, almonds and more.

 Symptoms of folium deficiency

In adults folate deficiency may cause fatigue, headaches, dementia. The main manifestation of

folate deficiency is megaloblastic anemia without neurological changes (unlike vitamin B12

deficiency).

Low levels of folate may be due to:

• malabsorption

• alcoholism

 • some medications, for example methotrexate, omeprazole, phenytoin, etc.

• inadequate intake

 • cancer

The elderly have an increased risk of folate deficiency

Determination of the level of folium in the body

Folate levels can be measured in either serum (serum folate) or in red blood cells (RBC folate). For

screening purposes, the serum levels are evaluated; RBC folate testing is not routinely performed.

Fasting is required 8 hours prior to the test. Some medications may affect the test results, so it is

important to consult with a doctor.The test results should be interpreted by a doctor.

Generally, normal levels of folate mean that the patient doesn’t have folate deficiency.Lower than normal levels of folate suggest its deficiency.

When is the test ordered?

This test is mainly ordered when a patient is diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia.

It can be also performed in the following conditions:

• when a patient has some signs of folate deficiency                                             • to monitor the condition of the patient with diagnosed folate deficiency                                                                  • to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for folate deficiency                                                                               • when a patient has malabsorption, as this condition may cause folate deficiency