Indicator Explainer
Folic Acid
A collective term for pteroylglutamic acids and their oligoglutamic acid conjugates. As a natural water-soluble substance, folic acid is involved in carbon transfer reactions of amino acid metabolism, in addition to purine and pyrimidine synthesis, and is essential for hematopoiesis and red blood cell production. (NCI05)
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C510. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
Related Tests
Tests that measure or involve this indicator.
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Folic Acid (C510)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C510. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- Surface-functionalized niosomes using a folic acid-chitosan conjugate for delivery of capecitabine in breast cancer: In vitro and in vivo characterization. — Int J Biol Macromol, 2026-10-09 (PMID 42855091; literature)
- The Effect of the MTHFR C677T Genotype Polymorphism on the Efficacy of Folic Acid Treatment for Hyperhomocysteinemia and Cardiovascular Endothelial Function. — Chronic Dis Transl Med, 2026-10-08 (PMID 42852313; literature)
- Targeted anti-inflammatory effects of folic acid-conjugated chitosan-ZnO NPs: Modulation of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. — Int J Biol Macromol, 2026-10-06 (PMID 42838162; literature)
- Effects of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and L-Carnitine on Congenital Malformations Induced by Vitamin A Hypervitaminosis. — Birth Defects Res, 2026-10-01 (PMID 42823556; literature)
- Methotrexate and folic acid supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis: A Japanese claims database and 538,985 patients from April 2015 to November 2020. — Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2026-10-01 (PMID 42390075; literature)
- Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Halloysite Nanotubes Functionalized with Folic Acid for the Targeted Delivery of [Pd(dipic)Cl].H2O: Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Induction in Colon Cancer Cells. — Anticancer Agents Med Chem, 2026-09-30 (PMID 42852748; literature)
- Efficacy and safety of Siddha regimen for management of mild to moderate iron deficiency anaemia amongst reproductive age-group women as compared to iron folic acid supplements: A protocol for an open labelled, multicentric randomized equivalence trial. — J Ayurveda Integr Med, 2026-10-15 (PMID 42879886; literature)
- Evaluation of antenatal multiple micronutrient versus iron and folic acid supplementation in UNRWA health clinics serving Palestine refugees in Jordan: A systems trial. — Am J Clin Nutr, 2026-10-14 (PMID 42874928; literature)
- The impact of nationwide folic acid fortification on genetic variants associated with conotruncal heart defects. — Hum Genet, 2026-10-22 (PMID 42911416; literature)
- Protective effect of folic acid supplementation on the proportion of micronucleated erythrocytes in Balb-C mice irradiated with computed tomography. — Int J Radiat Biol, 2026-10-20 (PMID 42900748; literature)
- Impact of supplementation of a package of iron folic acid (IFA) with probiotics on haemoglobin levels in the elderly with mild to moderate anaemia: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial (PRobiotics in Anaemia Trial for Healthy Ageing Management - PRATHAM). — Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2026-10-26 (PMID 42933603; literature)
- Perceived benefits after supplementation with Ferro IBSA, an orodispersible film (ODF) to deliver iron and folic acid: Results of a 2025 digital survey. — Nutr Health, 2026-10-23 (PMID 42920261; literature)