Folate: A Vital Nutrient for Blood & Cellular Health
Discover the role of Folate in your health and longevity with Mito Health's advanced biomarker analysis. Our detailed reports cover key biomarkers, providing essential insights to help you make informed decisions for a healthier, longer life.
- Published
- June 28, 2024
- Read time
- 2 min read
What is Folate?
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential vitamin required for DNA and RNA synthesis. It is essential for the maturation of red blood cells and is found primarily in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and certain organ meats like liver. Abnormal folate levels can affect blood, cognitive and mental health.
What does it assess?
Folate levels help assess the body’s ability to produce and maintain new cells, particularly red blood cells. It is also important for evaluating cognitive and mental health, as folate is involved in brain function and emotional well-being.
How can I optimize my Folate levels?
Folate and vitamin B12 work together to promote red blood cell production and DNA synthesis. A deficiency in B12 can impair folate metabolism, leading to functional folate deficiency. Include B12-rich foods in your diet or consider supplementation if you are at risk for B12 deficiency. Chronic alcohol consumption can impair folate absorption and lead to deficiency. Limiting alcohol intake can help preserve folate stores in the body. Include foods naturally high in folate, such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, avocados, and fortified grains. Folate from food is generally better absorbed and more effective than supplements.
What do high and low Folate levels mean?
Elevated folate levels are typically not harmful and are usually the result of excessive folate supplementation. However, very high levels can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, potentially leading to neurological damage if left untreated. Low folate levels can indicate a deficiency, which may result from poor dietary intake, malabsorption, alcoholism, or certain medications that interfere with folate metabolism. Folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, weakness, and irritability.
If your report shows a low result, the low folate result guide explains possible symptoms and why vitamin B12 and blood-count context matter.
What a folate (B12 and folate panel) test costs
Folate is most often tested together with vitamin B12 in a single panel. Ordered that way, a folate (B12 and folate panel) test ranges from about $10.77 to $89 across direct-to-consumer labs, before a one-time draw fee. Here is how advertised prices compare.
Lab | Test price | Draw fee |
|---|---|---|
Mito (Member) | $10.77 | $9.50-15 |
Mito (Non-Member) | $15.07 | $9.50-15 |
GoodLabs | $15 | $12 |
DrSays | $25.99 | $9.99 |
Jason Health | $30 | $18 |
Ulta Lab Tests | $41.95 | $12.95 |
Marek Health | $50 | $10 |
Walk-In Lab | $59 | $6 |
Quest (direct) | $73.80 | $6 |
Labcorp (direct) | $89 | $0 |
Advertised prices, June 2026. Add the draw fee for a single-test order. See the full blood test price comparison across 29 tests.
Mito includes folate in its comprehensive panels. Member pricing requires a $9 a month membership.
Related Folate (Vitamin B9) Resources
B vitamin and cognition-related tests
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Blood Test
Measures total circulating vitamin B12 to help evaluate possible deficiency and interpret supplementation.
An amino acid tied to B-vitamin metabolism and cardiovascular risk that routine cholesterol panels do not capture.
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Blood Test
A more sensitive marker of B12 deficiency that often rises before serum B12 falls.
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy (Calcidiol) Blood Test
The standard measure of vitamin D status, reflecting what you build from sun, diet, and supplements.
