Folic Acid Test

Folic acid test can detect symptoms of anemia including:

• Pale skin
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Rapid heart rate
• Confusion

These symptoms are quite common and can resemble other conditions. A correct diagnosis will help you get personalized treatment and prevent the overuse of medicines.

Your doctor may ask you to get your folic acid levels tested if you are showing symptoms of folic acid deficiency, such as:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Bleeding gums
• Swollen, red tongue
• A lack of appetite
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Numbness
• Difficulty in walking
• Memory loss

Also, you can be advised to take this test if you have an intestinal disorder, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.

One of the important indications to take this test is for women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. An adequate amount of folic acid is crucial for a healthy nervous system, averting birth defects and promoting normal development of the fetus.

Apart from these, the test can determine whether your treatment of folic acid deficiency is working well or not.

However, it is important to note that symptoms of folic acid deficiency are very similar to the symptoms of other blood conditions. See your doctor for correct diagnosis, he will ask for blood tests to check your folic acid along with other blood tests like complete blood count.

Always remember to tell your doctor about your ongoing therapies and medications.

Folic acid is naturally found in spinach, cereals, rice, broccoli, orange, peanuts, etc. The normal range of the folic acid level in plasma varies with age.

Acceptable normal levels of folic acid are:

• Adults - 4.5-45.3 nmol/L
• Children - 11.3-47.6 nmol/L
• Infants - 31.7-115.5 nmol/L

Folic acid is vital for the production of healthy red blood cells, which deliver oxygen to the entire body, hence, are important for maintaining overall health. Additionally, folic acid acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis of DNA & RNA, used in the metabolism of amino acids.

Folic acid due to its function in cell and tissue growth as well as the formation of DNA is essential for the normal development of a fetus. Hence, it is especially essential for women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant. Its deficiency in pregnant women can result in spinal cord birth defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, etc. Therefore, recommendations suggest that women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.

In normal adults, folic acid deficiency can occur if an individual is not consuming enough folic acid. Though mild folic acid deficiency normally does not cause any symptoms, severe folic acid deficiency can lead to diarrhea, fatigue, and a sore tongue, and in more serious cases, anemia.

Other causes of deficiency of folic acid include:

• Malabsorption because of diseases related to stomach and intestine
• Improper utilization of folic acid due to enzyme deficiencies, drugs such as alcohol and oral contraceptives
• Extreme demand for folic acid, such as during pregnancy.