Red Blood Cell Folate

RBC Folate measures the amount of folate stored in your red blood cells, giving a long-term view of your body's folate levels.

📋 About This Biomarker

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a vital nutrient that our bodies need to create new cells. It's like a building block for making DNA and RNA, which are essential for cell division and growth. Measuring folate levels in your red blood cells (RBCs) gives a picture of your long-term folate status because it reflects how much folate has been stored in your cells over the past few months. This is different from measuring folate in the blood serum, which can change day by day based on what you've recently eaten. Having enough folate is important for everyone, but it's especially crucial during times when the body is growing rapidly, like during pregnancy or childhood. Low levels of RBC folate can lead to a type of anemia where red blood cells become larger than normal but don't work as well, causing symptoms like tiredness and weakness. By keeping an eye on your RBC folate levels, you can make sure your body has what it needs to stay healthy and strong.

🎯 Why We Test This

Testing your RBC folate levels helps ensure your body has enough folate to support cell growth and the formation of healthy red blood cells. It's especially important for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant because adequate folate reduces the risk of certain birth defects. The test can also help identify a folate deficiency before it leads to serious health problems.

⚠️ What Affects It

Several things can influence your RBC folate levels. The most significant factor is your diet - if you're not eating enough foods rich in folate like leafy green vegetables, beans, and fortified grains, your levels might drop. Conditions that affect how well your body absorbs nutrients, such as celiac disease or certain gut problems, can also lower your folate levels. Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with folate absorption and use in the body. Some medications, like those used for epilepsy or cancer treatment, might affect how your body handles folate. Additionally, during pregnancy or periods of rapid growth, your body needs more folate, so you might need to increase your intake to keep up.

📈 How to Improve

If levels are low or close to low: You can improve your RBC folate levels by eating more foods rich in folate, such as spinach, broccoli, beans, and fortified cereals. A folic acid supplement might also be recommended by your doctor. If levels are high or close to high: Generally, high folate levels are not harmful, but it's important to ensure you're not taking excessive supplements, especially if you have a risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Balancing your intake and possibly adjusting supplement use can help keep levels within a healthy range. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can guide you on the best approach.

📊 Understanding Your Results (nmol/L)

Low (< 450 nmol/L)
Low RBC folate levels mean your body doesn't have enough folate, which can lead to a type of anemia where red blood cells are too big and don't work properly. This can make you feel tired, weak, or short of breath. In pregnant women, low folate levels can increase the risk of birth defects in the baby. It's important to address low folate levels by eating more folate-rich foods or taking supplements as advised by a healthcare professional.
Optimal (450 - 1700 nmol/L)
Having RBC folate levels within the normal range shows that your body has a healthy amount of folate stored up. This means you're likely getting enough folate from what you eat, and your body is absorbing and using it properly. It's a sign that your diet is supporting your overall health, especially for making new cells and keeping your red blood cells healthy. Having RBC folate levels within the normal range shows that your body has a healthy amount of folate stored up. This means you're likely getting enough folate from what you eat, and your body is absorbing and using it properly. It's a sign that your diet is supporting your overall health, especially for making new cells and keeping your red blood cells healthy. If your RBC folate levels are getting close to the lower end of normal, it might be a warning that your folate stores are starting to run low. This could happen if you're not eating enough folate-rich foods, if your body isn't absorbing folate well, or if you need more folate than usual (like during pregnancy). It's a good time to think about boosting your folate intake through diet or supplements after talking with a healthcare provider.
High (> 1700 nmol/L)
If your RBC folate levels are higher than normal, it's usually because you're taking a lot of folic acid supplements. While folate is generally safe, very high levels might hide a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause nerve problems if not treated. So, it's important to balance your folate intake and make sure you're also getting enough vitamin B12.
Also known as: Red Blood Cell Folate