Specimen Collection

Specimens must be separated on the day of collection.

Sample stability:

• 2 hours at 20-25 ^o C
• 48 hours at 2-8 ^o C
• 28 days at -20 ^o C

4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Blood (Preferred)

5 mL Adult Heparin Blood

4 mL Adult Plain Blood

3.5 mL SST Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood
Reference Intervals

Units: nmol/L

Reference interval : 5 - 45

Values may be higher in the first year of life.

Conversion: ng/mL x 2.265 = nmol/L

Uncertainty of Measurement: 2 nmol/L at a concentration of 7 nmol/L
12% at concentrations of 15 nmol/L and higher

Haemolysed specimens may spuriously elevate the serum folate result.

Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method

Principle : Competitive type immunoassay with chemiluminescence detection (improved biotin assay)

Reagents: Roche Elecsys Folate III

Analyser: Cobas e801

Contact Information

The chemical pathology team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

After-hours: contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .

• Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
• Dr Cam Kyle : CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
• Dr Weldon Chiu : WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Campbell Heron : CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe Saku.Jayasinghe@adhb.govt.nz
• Dr Owen Yi WenyiYi@adhb.govt.nz

Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026