Folate is a B vitamin found in leafy greens, legumes and fortified bread, and your body needs it to make new cells, red blood cells included. Measuring the folate stored inside your red cells shows your levels over the past few months rather than what you ate yesterday. Low folate can lead to large red cells and a type of anaemia, matters a lot before and during pregnancy, and is best read next to B12. The lab range is 1426 to 3294 nmol/L. Red blood cell folate is an add-on to your Baseline, priced individually, using the same blood draw, with no Medicare rebate.
Vively's health team can help you test Red Blood Cell Folate. You start with the Baseline Health Check, then add this test.
Every marker in range? Get your $99 back. T&Cs apply.Want to save 25%? Try our 4-Month Reset insteadRed Blood Cell Folate is a measure of the long-term folate stored inside your red blood cells. Unlike short-term serum folate, this marker reflects your sustained folate status over several weeks, giving a more stable picture of your nutrient reserves.
Folate plays a central role in energy production, DNA synthesis, and cellular renewal. Adequate long-term folate levels help support mood balance, metabolic function, and daily vitality. Understanding your levels can help you tailor your lifestyle and nutrition to support ongoing wellbeing.
Laboratory reference range
Optimal range for proactive wellbeing
(Optimal ranges reflect a functional zone that supports energy, cellular renewal, and long-term metabolic balance.)
Daily nutrition, absorption efficiency, alcohol intake, stress, gut health, and overall dietary patterns can all influence long-term folate stores.
Levels outside the optimal zone may suggest that your lifestyle or dietary intake is not fully supporting long-term nutrient balance. This does not indicate illness. Instead, it offers a useful prompt to review your eating patterns, nutrient variety, or other daily habits that influence folate status.
Focus on balanced eating patterns with folate-rich whole foods such as leafy greens, legumes, fruit, eggs, and fortified grains. Supporting gut health, reducing excessive alcohol intake, and maintaining consistent nutrient variety can also help keep levels within an optimal range. Retesting helps you see how your choices influence long-term folate status over time.
This information is provided for general health and wellness purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
How to get it: Available as one of our specialty add-on tests. Your test referral is issued straight away when you order. See how a blood test without a referral works.
Related tests: Red blood cell magnesium, Red Blood Cell Zinc, Plasma Zinc, Magnesium
Learn more: What blood tests should I get?; What health tests should I get?
The Baseline Health Check reads 70+ markers, then your dietitian turns your results into a plan. $99 a month, first test included.
Every marker in range? Get your $99 back. T&Cs apply.