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26033 Vitamin B-12/Folate

Vitamin B-12/Folate
Test Code: B/F
Synonyms/Keywords
​Vitamin B-12, B12, Cyanocobalamin, Folate, Folic Acid
Useful For
​Investigation of macrocytic anemia, workup of deficiencies seen in megaloblastic anemias, investigation of suspected folate deficiency.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​1.0 mL ​0.8 mL ​0.6 mL
Collection Processing Instructions
​Refrigerate off the cells up to 4 hours.  If analysis will be delayed longer than 4 hours, freeze the sample.  Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of serum specimen.  High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with the Folate assay, therefore it is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerated off cells ​< 4 hours
​Frozen ​2 months
Rejection Criteria
More than Trace Hemolysis
Interference
​Folate:  Human Anti-Murine Antibodies (HAMA) may develop leading to test interference in patients receiving murine-based agents for chemotherapy or tumor-imaging studies.  Likewise, Fluorescein used in retinal angiography will interfere.  High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H, or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Competitive Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminescent Technology/Siemens Centaur
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield
​Folate:  >= 3.4 ng/mL
Vitamin B-12: 160-1000 pg/mL
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​82746 ​ ​1 ​Folate ​
​82607 ​ ​1 ​Vitamin B-12 ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​Vitamin B-12, B12, Cyanocobalamin, Folate, Folic Acid
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​COM ​Vitamin B-12/Folate
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​1.0 mL ​0.8 mL ​0.6 mL
Collection Processing
​Refrigerate off the cells up to 4 hours.  If analysis will be delayed longer than 4 hours, freeze the sample.  Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of serum specimen.  High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H or Coenzyme R) may interfere with the Folate assay, therefore it is recommended that patients refrain from consuming any multivitamin or supplement containing biotin for at least 72 hours prior to collection of a blood sample.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerated off cells ​< 4 hours
​Frozen ​2 months
Rejection Criteria
More than Trace Hemolysis
Interference
​Folate:  Human Anti-Murine Antibodies (HAMA) may develop leading to test interference in patients receiving murine-based agents for chemotherapy or tumor-imaging studies.  Likewise, Fluorescein used in retinal angiography will interfere.  High doses of exogenous biotin (also termed Vitamin B7, Vitamin H, or Coenzyme R) may interfere with this assay.
Useful For
​Investigation of macrocytic anemia, workup of deficiencies seen in megaloblastic anemias, investigation of suspected folate deficiency.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Marshfield
​Folate:  >= 3.4 ng/mL
Vitamin B-12: 160-1000 pg/mL
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Marshfield ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Competitive Immunoassay using Direct Chemiluminescent Technology/Siemens Centaur
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​82746 ​ ​1 ​Folate ​
​82607 ​ ​1 ​Vitamin B-12 ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.