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Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry

Investigation Name:Vitamin E

Alias or Abbreviation:Tocopherol

Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 accredited test: On scope

Intro:

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, protecting against damage caused by free radicals. In the UK, where most individuals are well nourished, Vitamin E deficiency is confined to individuals with malabsorption, due to small intestinal disease, pancreatic insufficiency, e.g., Cystic Fibrosis, or alcoholic or biliary cirrhosis. However, there are no clinical signs that can be conclusively attributed to vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E toxicity is rare and is mainly associated with over-supplementation. Vitamin E is considered to be of low toxicity, with no ill effects usually seen even with high vitamin E concentrations. Although very high concentrations may have an indirect effect by antagonising the function of other fat-soluble vitamins, in particular, vitamin A. As vitamin E circulates in blood predominantly bound to lipoproteins, plasma vitamin E concentrations increase as serum lipid concentrations increase. Therefore, it is preferable to take into account plasma lipid concentrations (e.g., vitamin E to cholesterol ratio) when assessing vitamin E status.

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 1 year: 11.5-24.4 µmol/L
1 to 6 years: 7.0-21.0 µmol/L
7 to 12 years: 10.0-21.0 µmol/L
13 to 19 years: 13.0-24.0 µmol/L
Adult (≥20 years): 9.5-41.5 µmol/L
Vitamin E to cholesterol ratio >2.2 µmol/mmol

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.
For samples received from labs external to BCPS, cholesterol is reflexed when vitamin E is <10 µmol/L

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 Laboratory Lyndon B71 4HJ

NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:yes

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