Folic Acid

When you have an abnormal complete blood count (CBC) with a blood smear showing large red blood cells (macrocytosis) or abnormal (hypersegmented) neutrophils; when you have symptoms of anemia (weakness, tiredness, pale skin) and/or of neuropathy (tingling or itching sensations, eye twitching, memory loss, altered mental status); when you are being treated for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. The Folic Acid Test is used to determine the present levels of folic acid or folate in the blood. The terms ‘Folate’ and ‘Folic Acid’ are used interchangeably and can be considered the same. Folate is found naturally in many food items like green leafy vegetables, whereas Folic Acid is a human-made supplement. However, both are a form of Vitamin B, more specifically of Vitamin B-9. Folic Acid plays a major role in maintaining your overall health. It helps in – Preventing loss of hearing, Producing new red blood cells, Repairing and synthesis of RNA and DNA, cell growth and cell division of various tissues, Providing proper nourishment to an infant’s brain. It is therefore very important to maintain adequate levels of Folic Acid in the body. A deficiency of Folic Acid can lead to a number of health disorders like anemia, malabsorption, and intestinal disorders like Crohn’s Disease. Your doctor may prescribe the Folic Acid Test in case they observe in you any symptoms indicative of a Folic Acid deficiency, when you are pregnant or are preparing to get pregnant, or when you have been undergoing any treatment requiring medications that can hamper the absorption capability of Vitamin B12 in your body. Vitamin B12 is closely linked to the nutrition that Folic Acid provides for your body. This happens as Vitamin B12 absorbs folate (or folic acid), which is then able to nourish your body with its inherent storage of Vitamin B-9. In India, the most concerning risk factors associated with an inadequate level of Folic Acid are Neural Tube Defects or NTDs. These NTDs are congenital disabilities caused when the fetus’ neural tube fails to close properly during pregnancy. The prevalence of NTDs varies across the country but is more frequently observed in northern India as per a study.