Vitamin A (Retinol), Serum or Plasma
Also known as: VIT A
Use
This test is used for the nutritional assessment of vitamin A, specifically retinol and retinyl palmitate, in serum or plasma. It helps in determining vitamin A deficiency or toxicity and is essential for diagnosing and managing conditions related to vitamin A metabolism.
Special Instructions
Patient should fast for 12 hours and abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection. Samples should not come in contact with plastic tubing or excessive light to avoid low results. Drugs like probucol may interfere with the analysis.
Limitations
This test does not measure other vitamin A metabolites such as retinaldehyde and retinoic acid. Serum retinol values may not accurately reflect hepatic stores until they are almost depleted. Moderate retinol elevations may occur in individuals with compromised renal function due to RBP retention.
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2923-1
- 48767-8
- 2923-1
- 38496-6
Result Turnaround Time
1-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Plasma
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
Green (sodium or lithium heparin), plasma separator tube; Lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA) tube
Collection Instructions
Collect blood using the specified tubes. Separate serum or plasma within 1 hour of collection and transfer to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube immediately.
Patient Preparation
Patient should fast for 12 hours and abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated.
Causes for Rejection
Whole blood or body fluids other than serum or plasma.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 1 month |
| Frozen | 1 year |