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Folate

Tube Type = Gold Top

Tube Type

Test ID   LAB69
EPIC Order
   FOLATE LEVEL
CPT Code(s)   82746
Group/Individual Test   Individual
Laboratory   Core Laboratory
Tube Station   30
Specimen Routine: 4 mL blood/gold SST tube/red plain tube also acceptable; See Comments
  Micro: 500µL blood/serum separator bullet/red top
Stability
Spun:
Room temperature: <8 hours recommended
Refrigerator: 48 hours
Frozen: 30 days
Availability Routine: 24 hrs/day
Turnaround Time   4 hrs
Reference Range Normal: >5.4 ng/mL
Comments
  • Hemolyzed Specimens Rejected. Heterophilic antibodies may cause interference. 
  • Methotrexate and leucovorin interfere with folate measurement due to cross-reaction with folate-binding proteins.

Reviewed by J. Carr on December 31, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514