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Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry

Investigation Name:Vitamin A

Alias or Abbreviation:Retinol

Intro:

In the UK where most individuals are well nourished, Vitamin A deficiency is confined to individuals with malabsorption, due to small intestinal disease, pancreatic insufficiency, e.g., Cystic Fibrosis, or alcoholic or biliary cirrhosis. Vitamin A is required for normal vision and is essential for cell division and differentiation.
Symptoms of deficiency include: xeropthalmia, keratomalacia, weight loss, diarrhoea, reduced libido and gum disease. Premature and low birth weight infants have low body stores of vitamin A and are often deficient. Xeropthalmia and keratomalacia can occur in the first year of life amongst artificially fed infants.

Pathology Laboratory:Mass Spec Laboratory

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Units:µmol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:Preferred: 500 µL serum/plasma, absolute minimum: 175 µL (may be used for measurement of both vitamins A and E)

Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days. Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.

Sample Type:

Serum or lithium heparin plasma

Complex Reference Range:Under 7 years: 0.70-1.50 µmol/L
7 to 12 years: 0.90-1.70 µmol/L
13 to 19 years: 0.90-2.50 µmol/L
Adult female (≥20 years): 0.99-3.35 µmol/L
Adult male (≥20 years): 0.77-3.95 µmol/L

Collection Conditions / Other Information:There is no need to protect samples from light, e.g., wrap in foil. In-house studies have shown that vitamin A and E concentrations are stable for 14 days at room temperature.

Referred to Another Laboratory?No

Storage Requirements:Store separated plasma/serum at 4 °C prior to dispatch

Posting Address / Requirements:1st class post at ambient temperature >br/> Sandwell Health Campus
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ

NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:yes

EQA Scheme:UK NEQAS for Vitamin Assays

Lead Contact Details:Helen Duce, Principal Clinical Scientist,
Email: h.duce@nhs.net

Email Address For Chasing Results:rwh-tr.bcpsspecialistchemistryenquiries@nhs.net

Methodology:High-performance liquid chromatography

Site Sample Tested:Sandwell Health Campus

Cost:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details

Contact Number:Tel: 0121 507 5162