Vitamina B9, necesaria para construir glóbulos rojos y ADN — y crítica antes y durante el embarazo.
Otros nombres:Folate, vitamin B9Sección:Vitaminas
Actualizado: 29 de agosto de 2026·Equipo editorial de MedProtect Información de referencia — no es un diagnóstico ni una prescripción
En resumenThe normal range is 2.7–17.0 ng/mL (6.12–38.52 nmol/L). The test is often done together with a vitamin B12 test, because a deficiency of either one causes the same megaloblastic anemia.
Valores de referencia
Grupo
Valor de referencia
Adultos
2.7–17.0 ng/mL (6.12–38.52 nmol/L)
Normal value ranges vary slightly among different laboratories, and some laboratories use different measurements or test different specimens.
Compruebe su valor
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
Qué es este marcador
Folic acid is also called vitamin B9. The folate test measures the amount of folic acid in the blood and is often done together with a vitamin B12 test. Folic acid helps form red blood cells and produce DNA, the molecule that stores the body's genetic codes.
The test checks for folic acid deficiency. It is also used in cases of anemia that may be due to folate deficiency, and in megaloblastic anemia — a form of anemia in which red blood cells grow abnormally large because of low folic acid or vitamin B12 levels.
Taking the right amount of folic acid before and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day; it may come from prenatal vitamins and certain foods such as enriched bread, flour, and cereal. Women with a history of neural tube defects in earlier pregnancies may need more — the provider sets the dose.
Results are reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL); in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) in many countries. The typical normal range is 2.7–17.0 ng/mL (6.12–38.52 nmol/L). Preparation includes fasting — no food or drink for 6 hours before the test — and the provider may pause medicines that interfere, including folic acid supplements themselves.
Cuando está elevado
Large amounts are uncommonMedlinePlus notes for B vitamins in general that having large amounts in the body can cause health problems or be due to an underlying health condition such as liver disease; a clearly elevated folate result is read in the context of the full picture, including supplements being taken.
Cuando está bajo
Poor dietToo little folate in food is the straightforward cause of a low level.
Malabsorption syndromeConditions such as celiac disease prevent the intestine from absorbing enough folic acid.
MalnutritionA general lack of nutrients lowers folate together with other vitamins.
Megaloblastic anemia linkThe test may be done precisely because anemia is suspected: low folic acid — like low vitamin B12 — produces abnormally large red blood cells.
Qué puede alterar el resultado
Estos factores pueden alterar el valor sin ninguna enfermedad — vale la pena considerarlos antes de repetir la prueba:
Food and drink within 6 hours before the testFolic acid supplementsAlcoholMedicines that decrease folic acid measurements: aminosalicylic acid, birth control pills, estrogens, tetracyclines, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, methotrexate, penicillin, aminopterin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, medicines to treat malaria
Cómo prepararse
No food or drink for 6 hours before the test. The provider may pause medicines that interfere with the result — including folic acid supplements; alcohol, aminosalicylic acid, birth control pills, estrogens, tetracyclines, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, methotrexate, penicillin, aminopterin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and malaria medicines can all decrease folic acid measurements. Nothing is stopped without the provider's advice.
Cuándo tiene sentido repetir la prueba
A low result is usually evaluated together with the vitamin B12 level, because the two deficiencies cause the same anemia. Treatment and the retesting schedule are set by the provider; women planning a pregnancy should already be taking at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily.
Quién suele revisar este resultado
Un resultado fuera del rango de referencia suele ser revisado por:your GP or primary care doctor; a hematologist if anemia is the concern. Traiga su informe de laboratorio y cualquier resultado anterior a la cita.
Nombres usados en los informes de laboratorio
Su informe puede usar cualquiera de estos nombres: FolateVitamin B9Folate testFolic acid test
Unidades y conversión
Medido en:ng/mL
ng/mL=nmol/L
ng/mL × 2.266 = nmol/L. Example: 5.0 ng/mL = 11.3 nmol/L. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
¿Varios marcadores en su informe?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
Because a deficiency of either one causes the same condition — megaloblastic anemia, in which red blood cells grow abnormally large. Measuring both at once separates the two causes.
Why does folic acid matter so much in pregnancy?
Taking the right amount before and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should take at least 600 micrograms (mcg) daily, from prenatal vitamins and enriched foods; after a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect, the provider may set a higher dose.
Which medicines lower the measured level?
Alcohol, aminosalicylic acid, birth control pills, estrogens, tetracyclines, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, methotrexate, penicillin, aminopterin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and medicines to treat malaria can all decrease folic acid measurements, as can folic acid supplements taken before the test.
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