Folic acid absorption test in various clinical conditions

The folic acid absorption test (FAAT) has carried out in 18 normal control subjects; 8 patients with proven atrophy of the jejunal mucosa; 7 patients with gastric ulcus; 17 patients with reactive hypoglycemia; 13 patients with diabetes mellitus, and, finally, 9 epileptic patients treated with diphenylhydantoin (DPH). The most striking fact in this study is the difference between the FAAT in normal subjects versus patients with atrophy of the jejunal mucosa, reactive hypoglycemia and DPH consumption. On the other hand there were no significant differences in folate absorption between controls and diabetic patients.