Vitamin A - Black Country Pathology Services

Investigation Name:Vitamin A

Alias or Abbreviation:Retinol

Accreditation:New CE marked HPLC method awaiting UKAS accreditation

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.

Please note, that from 4th November 2025 Black Country Pathology Services has updated our analytical method used for the determination of Vitamin A and Vitamin E. The new assay has been validated in accordance with our stringent local procedures and is awaiting UKAS approval for extension to scope.

Pathology Laboratory:Mass Spec Laboratory

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Minimum Sample Volume:Preferred: 500 µL serum/plasma, absolute minimum: 150 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 (EDTA/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
Sandwell Health Campus
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ

NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:NPEX and PDF reporting available.

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