ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Vitamin A (Retinol), Serum or Plasma : 0080525

Mnemonic: VIT A

Methodology: High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Performed: Sun, Tue-Sat
Reported: 1-4 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 4 mL green (sodium or lithium heparin) or serum separator tube. Also acceptable: lavender or pink (EDTA).

Transport:  1 mL plasma or serum, 2-8°C. (Min: 0.3 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Amber Transport Tube.  Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment.

Pediatric Collection/Transport:  0.2 mL plasma or serum, 2-8°C.  Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment.

Remarks:  Draw specimen following an overnight (12-hour) fast. Patient should not consume alcohol for one day prior to blood draw. Avoid hemolysis. Transfer serum or plasma into an ARUP Amber Transport Tube ASAP. Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment.

Stability:  After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 month; Frozen: 1 year
Reference Interval:
 
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Vitamin A (Retinol)  
 
Age Reference Interval
0-1 month
2 months-12 years
13-17 years
18 years and older 		0.18-0.50 mg/L
0.20-0.50 mg/L
0.26-0.70 mg/L
0.30-1.20 mg/L
 Retinyl Palmitate 0-150 years: 0-0.10 mg/L

Note: Serum retinol is typically maintained until hepatic stores are almost depleted. Values greater than 0.30 mg/L represent adequate liver stores, whereas values less than 0.10 mg/L indicate deficiency. Samples that come in contact with plastic tubing or have been exposed to excessive light may show low results.

Vitamin A toxicity occurs when retinol concentration exceeds the capacity of retinol binding protein (RBP).  Individuals with compromised renal function can retain RBP and may, therefore, have moderate retinol elevations. Drugs which interfere with vitamin A analysis include probucol (Lorelco).

This assay does not measure other vitamin A metabolites such as retinaldehyde and retinoic acid.
CPT Code(s): 84590
 
 

 

 

 
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