Abnormal circulating folate concentration

What it means

Any deviation from the normal concentration of folate in the blood circulation.

Folate is an essential water-soluble vitamin (vitamin B9) that is found in green leafy vegetables, cereals, legumes, and fruit. As a major methyl group donor, it plays an important role in one-carbon metabolism and is involved in DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, in addition to its significant role in energy production and normal cell division. Low blood folate concentration is associated with an increased risk for neural tube defects during pregnancy.

Rare diseases that can present with this1

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Abnormal blood folate concentration · Abnormal serum folate · Abnormality of folate in blood · Abnormality of folate metabolism