Folic Acid
(continued)
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- Taking some medicines that can affect folic acid levels. Tell your doctor all of the medicines that you take.
- Using too much alcohol.
- Having conditions such as vitamin B12 anemia or iron deficiency anemia.
What To Think About
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet to get the daily recommended intake of folic acid to prevent folic acid deficiency anemia. Many foods have folic acid, such as citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and vitamin-fortified cereals.
- You might need to take a folic acid supplement if you have anemia and cannot get enough folic acid from food. Your doctor can tell you if you need to take a supplement.
- Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy can lower the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
- The folic acid test is often done at the same time as a test for vitamin B12. For more information, see the topic Vitamin B12.
- For more information on folic acid deficiency anemia and what foods have folic acid, see the topic Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia.
Related Information
Other Works Consulted
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby?s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
December 20, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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