New Nutristasis laboratory expert paper published
Plasma and Red Cell Reference Intervals of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate of Healthy Adults in Whom Biochemical Functional Deficiencies of Folate and Vitamin B12 Had Been Excluded
- Click to view PDF version of paper in our Resource Centre
- Click to view paper online on 'Advances in Hematology' website
A new approach
Tissue folate status is typically assessed by measurement of “total” folate concentration in blood because commonly available assays are unable to differentiate between the various circulatory forms.
In this paper, the Nutristasis Laboratory at our St Thomas’ Hospital site, reports for the first time reference intervals for 5-MTHFolate using a method developed and validated by the team.
Importantly, only adults without evidence of functional folate and/or vitamin B12 deficiency were included.
5-MTHFolate is the predominant form of folate (vitamin B9) in plasma and red cells, and is a substrate for the methionine synthase and vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin form—methyl-Cbl) mediated conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Circulatory concentrations of 5-MTHFolate are partly dependant on your genotype.
Better outcomes
The application of these intervals will assist in the evaluation of folate status and facilitate the evaluation of 5-MTHFolate as an independent risk factor for disease states. It will also compliment the clinical interpretation of the 'Active' B12 and Methylmalonic acid assays, which are also provided by our Nutristasis Unit.
Drawing on our expertise
Two analytical methods developed by the Nutristasis (5-MTHFolate and methylmalonic acid) were used in this work. Both tests are offered by the Unit to support diagnosis of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Thank you
A big thank you to all who volunteered to partake in this study. 50% of the participants were in fact our very own laboratory staff!
