Vitamin B9 (Folate): normal range and what it means
Folate — needed for cell division and methylation.
Normal range
Adult reference range.
- Low< 3 ng/mL
- Borderline3 – 5.9 ng/mL
- Optimal≥ 5.9 ng/mL
What it measures
Folate, needed to build DNA and to clear homocysteine. Low levels cause a specific type of anaemia and matter a great deal before and during pregnancy.
What moves it
Leafy greens, legumes and fortified grains, plus alcohol intake, pregnancy and some medications. Reflects recent intake more than long-term stores.
How to bring it into range
Leafy greens, legumes and liver, or a supplement. Some people do better on the methylated form, which is worth knowing if you carry the common slow variant.
How fast it responds
Four to eight weeks.
Also reported as: folate · folic acid · b9
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Common questions
- What is a normal Vitamin B9 (Folate) level?
- Optimal: ≥ 5.9 ng/mL. Adult reference range.
- What does a high Vitamin B9 (Folate) mean?
- A value above the reference band means Vitamin B9 (Folate) is outside the range typical for a healthy adult. A single reading is rarely conclusive on its own — what matters is the trend across draws and the other markers around it, which is why HealthOS reads the whole panel together rather than one number at a time.
- How do I improve my Vitamin B9 (Folate)?
- Leafy greens, legumes and liver, or a supplement. Some people do better on the methylated form, which is worth knowing if you carry the common slow variant.
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Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.