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What is the Lab Name for Folic Acid Lab Values?

Folic Acid

 

What is Folic Acid in terms of Nursing Labs?

Folic acid is an essential water soluble B vitamin. It is stored in the liver and is an important part of Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) function, DNA replication, and cell division.

 

What is the Normal Range for Folic Acid?

2 – 20 ng/mL

 

What are the Indications for Folic Acid?

• Diagnose megaloblastic anemia
• Monitor effects of long-term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
• Identify Folate Deficiency

 

What would cause Increased Levels of Folic Acid?

• Excess folate intake

 

What would cause Decreased Levels of Folic Acid?

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Pernicious anemia
• Hemolytic anemia
• Celiac Disease or Crohn Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
• Alcoholism
• Malnutrition