DR. ADAM STATEN - GP VIEW AND RED FLAG SYMPTOMS
Vitamin B9, commonly referred to as folate or folic acid in its synthetic form, is a water-soluble vitamin integral to DNA synthesis, cell division, and the maturation of red blood cells.
Adequate folate intake is particularly crucial during periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy, infancy, and adolescence, as it helps prevent neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida) and supports optimal foetal development.
Adults also require sufficient folate to maintain normal haematological function and prevent megaloblastic anaemia.
Certain medications, malabsorption syndromes, and poor dietary habits can compromise folate status, underscoring the importance of routine monitoring and supplementation for people at risk.
Red flag symptoms for the Folate - Folic acid - Vitamin B9 Blood Test
Even if your blood tests are normal, you should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms below because they may be a sign of serious underlying illness.
- Progressive muscle weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Progressively severe symptoms of any kind
Your Results and Health Dashboard
The results of your Folate - Folic acid - Vitamin B9 Blood Test will be emailed to you as a secured PDF file, ready for your GP and will also be uploaded to our Health Dashboard area of the website. It’s a unique and powerful tool, powered by our in-house clinical analysis research, to match your biomarkers across test panels and symptoms, as well as provide clinical commentary on all individual biomarkers you tested for.
The health dashboard will also provide "panel level" commentary - a birds eye view of the biomarkers that were tested. This feature allows you to view your test results and clinical commentary, and compare them to previous results, giving you a clear understanding of how your health is progressing.
By using the Health Dashboard, you can identify changes in your biomarkers and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. This added value is immense, as it empowers you to monitor your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.
It's free and is available with all of our tests.