Educational information only. At Precursor, blood testing is requested and reviewed by a clinician and considered alongside your history and other markers, not as a stand-alone diagnosis. Testing is performed in NATA-accredited laboratories to ISO 15189 standards.

What is folate?

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for making and repairing DNA and for producing healthy red blood cells. It works closely with vitamin B12, and it is especially important before and during pregnancy, when it supports healthy early development.

Why it matters

Folate is a key nutrient marker, both for general health and particularly in the context of pregnancy planning. Because folate and B12 deficiencies can look similar in the blood, they are usually measured and interpreted together.

What your results can mean

Lower than optimal

A low folate can lead to a type of anaemia with larger red cells and is relevant to pregnancy planning. It is generally straightforward to address through diet or supplementation with clinical guidance.

Within the healthy range

A folate in range supports healthy red cell production and DNA maintenance, and is reassuring alongside a normal B12.

Reference ranges in Australia

Folate is reported in nanomoles per litre (nmol/L), with laboratory-specific reference ranges. Read your result against your own report and alongside your vitamin B12.

Test your folate with Precursor

Folate is best read alongside B12 and your blood count. At Precursor it is measured as part of Full Advanced Bloods, a single clinician-reviewed blood draw covering your vitamins, full blood count and other markers together, giving you and your clinician a broad baseline to understand and track.