Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Serum
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 WeeksSample Stability
Samples should be stored protected from light at -20°C prior to analysis.Vitamin E
General Information
Vitamin E is a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant, protecting against damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E is found in nut oils, sunflower seeds, whole grains, wheat germ and spinach.
Vitamin E toxicity is very rare and is mainly associated with abuse of supplements. Severe deficiency, as may occur in persons with fat malabsorption or abetalipoproteinaemia, profoundly affects the central nervous system and can cause ataxia and peripheral neuropathy resembling Friedreich’s ataxia.
Vitamin E circulates in blood predominantly with low density lipoproteins. As the concentrations of serum lipids increase, vitamin E partitions out of the cellular membrane compartment into circulating lipoproteins. In patients with chronic cholestatic disease and hypercholesterolaemia, vitamin E deficiency could be missed if the lipid concentration is not taken into account. Vitamin E:cholesterol ratio is therefore a more accurate assessment of vitamin E status in patients with dyslipidaemia.
Patient Preparation
None
Notes
Protect sample from light immediately after collection.
Reference Range
0-1 year 11.5-24.4 µmol/L
2-6 years 7.0-21.0 µmol/L
7-12 years 10.0-21.0 µmol/L
13-19 years 13.0-24.0 µmol/L
Adults (>19 years) 9.5-41.5 µmol/L
Vitamin E:cholesterol ratio: ≥2.22 µmol/mmol
Source of Reference Range
Reference range derived by City Hospital BirminghamSpecifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes