Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Serum
1ml blood (protected from light)
Specimen Transport
First class post
Sample Processing in Laboratory
Protect sample from light and transport to the laboratory as usual
Sample Preparation
Protect sample from light
Turnaround Time
1 weekSample Stability
4oC
Alpha/beta Carotenes
General Information
The two primary isomers of carotene, a-carotene and b-carotene, differ in the position of double bonds in the cyclic group at the end of the molecule.
Plasma carotenes concentrations in general reflect dietary intake. Dietary assessment is usually all that is necessary, but measurement is occasionally helpful in establishing whether an unusual skin colouration is due to hypercarotenaemia or not.
Patient Preparation
None
Notes
Protect from light
Reference Range
Alpha carotene <0.25 umol/L
Beta carotene 0.19-0.89 umol/L
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
-
EQA Status:
Referral lab participates in EQA scheme