Exams and Tests

If your health professional suspects folic acid deficiency anemia, he or she will ask about your medical history and conduct a physical exam. Be sure to discuss:

• Current or past conditions or diseases that you or a close family member has had.
• Your eating habits.
• Any medications that you are taking.
• Whether you drink alcohol, and if so, how much you drink.

Usually, your doctor will want to draw blood in order to perform standard tests. These tests, which check for low folic acid levels and associated anemia, include:

• A complete blood count (CBC) and a blood smear. Blood cells are checked for the proper shape, color, number, and size. These features help your health professional determine what type of anemia may be present, if any. If these tests show red blood cells that are larger than normal (macrocytic), the doctor may suspect folic acid deficiency.
• Measurements of folic acid levels (folate) and vitamin B12 levels, to distinguish between these two causes of anemia.