Share this page

Print this article

Was this page helpful?

Vitamin B12 & Folate

Also known as: Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin; Folic Acid; RBC folate

Formal name: Vitamin B12 and Folate (or Folic Acid)

Related tests: FBC; Methylmalonic acid (MMA); Homocysteine

Common Questions

Can taking too many vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements hurt me?
Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?

1. Can taking too many vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements hurt me?

Not usually. Since vitamin B12 and folic are water soluble, the body will remove any in excess by excreting it in the urine.

2. Is there a difference between folate and folic acid?

No, they are effectively the same.

Previous

Next

subnav top

subnav bottom

left features top

If you don't know what a word or a medical term means, try the Mondofacto Online Medical Dictionary .

left features bottom

This article was last reviewed on July 22, 2008. | This page was last modified on August 3, 2010.

The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.

The modified date indicates that one or more changes were made to the page. Such changes may or may not result from a full review of the page, so the two dates may not always agree.

Understanding Your Tests | Inside the Lab | In the News | Article Index | About the Site | Send Us Your Comments

©2001 - by American Association for Clinical Chemistry • Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health information.
Verify Compliance.

Produced by