RBCF – “RBC Folate”

Update to New York approval status, specimen requirements, stability, and turnaround time

New York Approval: Yes

Patient Preparation: A hematocrit result is required. Provide a hematocrit from this collection with the sample submission. A hematocrit collected within 24 hours of the RBCF collection is also acceptable if the patient has not received a transfusion or experienced excessive bleeding in that 24 hour period. Please note: Methotrexate and leucovorin may interfere with assay.

Specimen Preparation: Send 1 full EDTA whole blood (entire sample) in the original collection tube along with the hematocrit.

Transport Temperature: Frozen

Stability:

Room temperature: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: 2 months

Turnaround Time: 2 – 4 days