Folic Acid
Folate is a vitamin that dissolves in water, so the body cannot store it for long and needs a regular supply from food.
Why it matters: A lack of folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that do not work properly.
Source · NHS — why it matters
Source · NHS — what it is, what moves it
May increase with:
May decrease with:
What is Folic Acid?
Folate is a vitamin that dissolves in water, so the body cannot store it for long and needs a regular supply from food.
What might a high or low Folic Acid mean?
A lack of folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that do not work properly.
What is the typical reference range for Folic Acid?
The general-population reference range shown here is 10 – 42.4 nmol/L. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.
What can affect Folic Acid?
It may be higher with: Foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas and brown rice. It may be lower with: An unbalanced diet, Regularly drinking a lot of alcohol, A restrictive diet, Coeliac disease and other conditions affecting the digestive system, Pregnancy, Cancer, Blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, Some medicines including anticonvulsants and methotrexate.
Track your Folic Acid over time
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