"Clinical Significance
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Folate Panel, Serum - Folic acid deficiency is common in pregnant women, alcoholics, patients with diets that do not include raw fruits and vegetables, and people with structural damage to the small intestine. The most reliable and direct method of diagnosing folate deficiency is the determination of folate levels in both erythrocytes and serum. Low folic acid levels, however, can also be the result of a primary Vitamin B12 deficiency that decreases the ability of cells to take up folic acid.
B12 is decreased in pernicious anemia, total or partial gastrectomy, malabsorption and certain congenital biochemical disorders.

Preferred Specimen(s)
2 mL serum

Alternative Specimen(s)
Amber vial

Minimum Volume
1 mL

Collection Instructions
Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.

Note: If transport to performing laboratory will exceed 24 hours please transport refrigerated (cold packs)

Transport Container
Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 36 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis