Department

Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Suitable Specimen Types

Serum

1 mL (minimum volume 0.5 mL)

Specimen Transport

Ambient temperature, protect from light.

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Protect from light.

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge immediately on receipt and store. Protect from light.

Turnaround Time

3 Weeks

Sample Stability

Samples should be stored protected from light at -20°C prior to analysis

Vitamin A

General Information

Vitamin A is essential for night-vision and helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes and skin. It may also be needed for reproduction and breast-feeding. Vitamin A is found in animal liver, whole milk, and some fortified foods. Vitamin A toxicity is rare but can cause foetal malformations during pregnancy and liver damage. Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, deficiencies are mainly associated with malnutrition and diseases that cause chronic fat malabsorption. Premature/low birth weight infants that have low body stores of fat are often vitamin A deficient.

Symptoms of deficiency include:

- night-blindness,

- dry skin and eyes,

- hair and weight loss,

- reduced libido

- gum disease

- infections.

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Protect sample from light immediately after collection.

Reference Range

Up to 6 = 0.70 – 1.50 umol/L

7 – 12 yrs = 0.90 – 1.70 umol/L

13 – 18yrs = 0.90 – 2.50 umol/L

Adult Males = 0.77 – 3.95 umol/L

Adult Females = 0.99 – 3.35 umol/L

Source of Reference Range

Reference range derived by City Hospital Birmingham

Specifications

EQA Scheme?: Yes

Link to Further Information

https://pinboard.in/u:duty_biochemist/t:vitaminA/