A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Folate

Your blood level of folate, a B vitamin, from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
1 to 3 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

Folate, also called vitamin B9, is a B vitamin your body needs to make red blood cells and DNA. Low levels can be linked to diet, to trouble absorbing nutrients, or to low B12, so folate is often checked with B12 for tiredness or anemia questions. No fasting is needed.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

This test is often used by adults with tiredness or a blood count that suggests anemia, or whose diet or digestion may limit how much folate they get. Commonly related symptoms include:

Body

  • Tiredness
  • Weakness

Skin

  • Pale skin

Face

  • Sore tongue

Lifestyle

  • Few fruits or vegetables

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows how much folate is in your blood, which a healthcare provider can read with B12 and a blood count to understand tiredness or signs of anemia.

Folate
Folate is a B vitamin your body needs to make red blood cells and new cells throughout the body. It comes from leafy greens, beans, and fortified grains. A low level can relate to diet, absorption, alcohol, or some medicines, and it is often read together with B12.
Why it’s measured: A B vitamin needed to make red blood cells, usually read together with B12.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 1 to 3 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Folate is reported as a number and compared with the lab’s reference range. A low result is usually read alongside vitamin B12.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

A healthcare provider reads folate with B12 and other results, looks for a cause of any low level, and decides what to do next.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Folate and B12 work together to make red blood cells, and low levels of either can lead to a similar kind of anemia. A low B12 level can also make it harder for cells to take up folate, so a low folate result can sometimes trace back to B12.

That is why a healthcare provider usually looks at both before deciding what a result means.

Low folate is often linked to diet, especially one with few raw fruits and vegetables, and to conditions that affect how the small intestine absorbs nutrients. Pregnancy and heavy alcohol use can also lower folate.

A healthcare provider can help work out the cause before deciding on any next step.

Biotin, a supplement often taken for hair, skin, and nails, can make this test read falsely high or falsely low. Tell your healthcare provider if you take it, since the timing of your last dose can matter. Don’t stop or change any medicine or supplement without talking with your healthcare provider.

This test measures folate in serum, the liquid part of the blood, which can shift with what you have eaten recently. One result may not reflect your longer-⁠term folate status, and a healthcare provider may use other tests alongside it.

A result within the range also does not replace prenatal care advice if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.