Folate test prep

[SleepingDisco]

I’ve been asked to retest my folate as this was rejected from my latest batch of blood tests, earlier this month.

I’ve not had just folate tested before (only as part of a wider set of tests) please can you advise on any prep I need to do for just folate?

Assuming I should stop Thorne Basic B a week before? Is there anything else I should omit prior to blood draw? I’m taking 1 tablet of 210 mg Ferrous fumarate a day - should I not take this too, or would it not affect a folate reading?

I take Levo in the evening

Thanks so much for any advice

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Its only necessary to stop the B complex due to its possible interferance with thyroid blood tests. For any other vitamin test you can take it right up until the day before.

Folate tests often fail due to the way blood cells can get damaged by 'milking' the finger. Do all the prep as advised in the kit.

medichecks.com/blogs/blood-...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Jaydee1507]

If it contains biotin, you need a gap because biotin can interfere with a number of tests - not just thyroid.

You need to check each and every test - or ask the lab.

Indeed, asking the lab is best because some thyroid tests are not affected by taking biotin.