The short answer
Essential B vitamin for DNA synthesis, cell division, and preventing neural tube defects in pregnancy, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $32.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 2–4 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$170
cash pay
Other Labs
$65
+ lab fees
TestWell
$32.99
+ $6 lab fee
Folate (vitamin B9) is critical for DNA and RNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell formation. Adequate folate is especially important before and during early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects. Deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, and elevated homocysteine levels. People on certain medications, those with malabsorption conditions, and heavy alcohol users are at higher risk.
Vitamin and nutrient testing identifies deficiencies that can drive fatigue, immune dysfunction, neurological symptoms, and long-term disease risk — and confirms that supplementation is working.
Anyone with restrictive diets (vegan, low-fat, low-carb), malabsorption conditions, fatigue, hair loss, mood changes, or currently supplementing and wanting to verify dosing.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
2–4 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
Your Folate (Vitamin B9) results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 2–4 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
No fasting required. Biotin supplements may interfere — stop 72 hours before.
A Folate (Vitamin B9) test costs $32.99 at TestWell — $38.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the same test lists at $65.00 at Quest Health (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $170.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. Full cost breakdown →
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $32.99 | $38.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $65.00 | $65.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $170.00 | $170.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
40% less than the lower lab-direct list price, for the same draw at the same lab. Lab test codes: Quest test code 10188 · Labcorp test no. 002014. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
TestWell Price
$32.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Better value: the Basic Vitamin Deficiency Panel
Save $10.98This test is part of the Basic Vitamin Deficiency Panel — 3 tests · 3 biomarkers for $89.99, $10.98 less than à la carte.
$89.99$100.97
3 tests · 3 biomarkers
Frequently ordered together
Customers who ordered Folate (Vitamin B9) also added these for a more complete health picture.
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Folate (Vitamin B9)
$32.99