26859 Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Serum (VITAE)

​​​Alpha-tocopherol

Retinol, Serum

Vitamin A, Serum

Vitamin E, Serum​

​Vitamin A and Vitamin E

​ ***Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.***

Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a light protected plastic vial.

1. Fasting: 12 hours, required; infants should have specimen collected before next feeding.

2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection.

Gross lipemia

Acute alcohol ingestion may result in increased serum vitamin A levels. Patients should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection.

Testing of nonfasting specimens or the use of vitamin supplementation can result in elevated serum vitamin concentrations. Reference values were established in patients who were fasting.​

Assessment of vitamin A and vitamin E status

 Monitoring vitamin A and vitamin E therapy

 Evaluating individuals with intestinal malabsorption of lipids

​Vitamin A and Vitamin E

Vitamin A:

The World Health Organization recommends supplementation when vitamin A levels fall below 20.0 mcg/dL. Severe deficiency is indicated at levels less than 10.0 mcg/dL. There is no widely accepted serum vitamin A level associated with toxicity.

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol):

Vitamin E levels below the reference interval suggest deficiency

Conversely, Vitamin E concentrations significantly above the upper healthy reference population range might indicate that Vitamin E intake exceeds the tolerable upper daily intake level(s).

The rare occurrence of low Vitamin A and E levels might correlate with potential deficiency and investigation of potential fat malabsorptions should be considered.