Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

ANEMIA & NUTRITION

Synonyms/Aliases

FOLIC ACID; VITAMIN B9.

Abbreviations

B9

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 3 WORKING DAYS.

Method

IMMUNOASSAY.

Temp

REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

NOT APPLICABLE

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 2ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.

Reference intervals

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

DIAGNOSE CAUSE OF ANEMIA OR NEUROPATHY.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

RECENT USE OF FOLIC ACID ANTAGONISTS E.G METHOTREXATE AFFECTS RESULTS. IMMUNOASSAY INTERFERENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO SPURIOUS RESULTS. SUCH INTERFERENCE CAN ARISE FROM PRESENCE OF HETEROPHILE ANTIBODIES, ANTI-ANIMAL ANTIBODIES, AUTOANTIBODIES, PARAPROTEINS, BIOTIN ETC. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS.