Folate (serum)
Routine annualalso vitamin b9
What it isFolate is a B vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and the methylation cycle. Serum folate reflects recent intake.
DoesProvides single-carbon units used in DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and the conversion of homocysteine back to methionine.
GoodHigh-normal folate supports methylation, red cell production, and cardiovascular health through homocysteine control.
BadLow folate causes megaloblastic anemia, elevated homocysteine, and in pregnancy, neural tube defects. Excess synthetic folic acid can mask B12 deficiency.
- Standard
- >5.4 ng/mL.
- Optimal
- 12–24 ng/mL (higher is good)
- Modifiers
- Falls with alcohol, methotrexate, anticonvulsants; MTHFR variants affect activation.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Cut alcohol.
- Diet
- Leafy greens, legumes, asparagus, beets, citrus, eggs.
- Supplements
- Methylfolate (400–800µg/day) — the active form, preferred over folic acid especially in MTHFR variants.
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- —
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Vitamins