Folate Deficiency: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: None written.

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Folate Deficiency are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Sensitive Findings

Sensitivity = 91%

specificity not assessed. False positives may be from: B12 deficiency, B6 deficiency, renal failure, hypovolemia, etc.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

69%

B12 deficiency can cause artificially low RBC folate levels.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Sensitivity = 12%

specificity not assessed.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Findings With Unspecified Accuracy

No accuracy specified.

Rather nonspecific. Often elevated in B12 deficiency. Often depressed in alcoholics.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505