Folate (Vitamin B9) Test

Measure the level of folate (vitamin B9) in your blood. Folate is necessary for the production of red and white blood cells; tissue growth; building DNA; and turning food into energy. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is required. Certain supplements and medications can interfere with your test results. If you are concerned about any of your supplements or medications impacting your results, talk to your healthcare provider before your sample is collected to see if you should stop taking them and for how long.

Test type: In Person

Find Patient Service Centers

$65.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the test

This test measures the total level of folate (vitamin B9) in your blood. Having folate tested helps you and your doctor decide if you need to supplement with additional vitamins or minerals or make dietary adjustments.

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is necessary for many critical functions including red and white blood cell development; tissue growth; cell function; the breakdown, usage, and creation of proteins; and the production of DNA. This vitamin is essential during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects and congenital disabilities of the brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). Folate enables the proper growth of fetal tissues and cells. Folate must be supplied by the diet or through supplementation because the body is not able to produce it independently. Folate is naturally found in beans and peas, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and yeast. Folic acid is the manufactured (synthetic) version of folate, which is found in supplements and fortified foods and is converted (metabolized) to folate by the body. This test will measure total folate levels which include any supplemented folic acid once your body has metabolized it.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this folate blood test and visit a nearby Quest location.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You are curious about your folate levels
You have been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want to monitor your results
You are taking a medication, such as a calcium channel blocker, that affects the absorption of folate
You are exhibiting signs or symptoms of a folate-related condition (see Signs & symptoms section below)

This test measures the level of vitamin B9, also known as folate, in your blood. Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that helps your body make red and white blood cells; grow tissues; build DNA; and turn food into energy. This vitamin is important during pregnancy to help prevent congenital disabilities (conditions present at birth) of the brain (eg, anencephaly) and spine (eg, spina bifida). Folate helps with the healthy development of fetal tissues and cells. People who are deficient in folate may not have any symptoms or may have symptoms of anemia, an irregular heartbeat, weakness, tiredness, or nerve damage. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the nervous system.

People who are deficient in folate may not have any symptoms. If they do, they may have the following:

Anemia symptoms (paleness, dizziness, irritability, shortness of breath)
Neurolgical symptoms (memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating)
Fatigue
Weight loss
Muscle weakness

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes up to 8 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you can review your new results there with your other Quest results. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase.

Shop now

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Buy a lab test
+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

Buy now

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

FAQs

Will everyone who takes calcium channel blockers be nutrient deficient?

No. Absorption rates of nutrients vary from person to person. It's important to get tested so you know which nutrients you're not getting enough of. Then, you can talk with your doctor about what supplements, if any, to take.

Would taking supplements be helpful if I’m deficient in folate or on calcium channel blockers?

If your body is not absorbing certain nutrients properly, your doctor may suggest you consider taking a supplement for that nutrient.

While it is unlikely to get too much of a nutrient if you are taking a supplement, getting too much, known as toxicity, is possible. It's recommended to confirm a deficiency through testing and talk with your doctor prior to taking supplements.

What’s the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins?

Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins differ in how they are absorbed by the human body.

A water-soluble vitamin dissolves in water and is easily absorbed by the body. Your body does not store these vitamins for long, so any extra will be eliminated in your urine. Because of this, it's important to consume them every day.

A fat-soluble vitamin dissolves in fats and oils and is absorbed with the fats you eat. Your body stores any extra in your liver or fatty tissues. Because of this, you don't need to consume them every day.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

What is vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells due to insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 or folate (vitamin B9). Both of these vitamins are needed to make red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Your body cannot function normally without an adequate supply of oxygen-rich RBCs.

Our references

Livada R., Shiloah J. Calcium channel blocker-induced gingival enlargement. J. Hum. Hypertens. 2014;28:10–14. doi: 10.1038/jhh.2013.47.
Cleveland Clinic. Folate Deficiency. Accessed Septemeber 26, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22198-folate-deficiency

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Folate (Vitamin B9) Test