Beckman Coulter Access Folate Reagent, 100 Determinations, 2 x 50 Tests

Specifications

Brand: Access®

Manufacturer: Beckman Coulter

Country of Origin: United States

Application: Reagent

For Use With: For use with Access Immunoassay Systems

Form: Ready-to-Use Liquid

Number of Tests: 100 Tests

Storage Requirements: Requires Refrigeration

Test Name: Folate

Test Type: Anemia Assay

Intended Use

The Access Folate assay is a paramagnetic particle, chemiluminescent immunoassay for the quantitative determination of folic acid levels in human serum and plasma (heparin) or red blood cells using the Access Immunoassay Systems.

Folate levels in serum and plasma (heparin) or red blood cells are used to assess folate status. The serum folate levels is an indicator of recent folate intake. A low RBC folate value can indicate a prolonged folate deficiency.

Summary and Explanation 

Folate is an essential vitamin vital to normal cell growth and DNA synthesis. It is present in a wide variety of foods such as dark, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, yeast, beans, eggs, and milk. It is absorbed by the small intestine and stored in the liver. A folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia and ultimately to severe neurological problems.

Folate deficiency can be caused by insufficient dietary intake, malabsorption or excessive folate utilization. Excessive utilization occurs very commonly during pregnancy. Alcoholism, hepatitis, or other liver-damaging diseases can also cause excessive folate utilization. Folate levels in both serum and red blood cells are used to assess folate status. The serum folate level is an indicator of recent folate intake. Red blood cell (RBC) folate is the best indicator of long term folate stores. A low RBC folate value can indicate a prolonged folate deficiency.

Folate and vitamin B12 are linked by the reaction pathway for methionine synthesis. A deficiency in either leads to a disruption of this pathway and to similar clinical symptoms.

Another consequence of this common metabolic pathway is that a B12 deficiency disrupts the uptake of folate into red blood cells. This leads to a low RBC folate value even with adequate folate intake. For the above reasons, it is often necessary to measure both vitamins in a clinical workup. The treatment depends on which vitamin is deficient.


Mercury Content: Item Does Not Contain Mercury Abbreviation: FOLW