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HelpTest Code VITA Vitamin A, Serum
Useful For
Diagnosing vitamin A deficiency or toxicity
Monitoring vitamin A therapy
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Vitamin A, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Fasting: 12 hours, required; infants should have specimen collected before next feeding
2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection.
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL serum
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Serum: 0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days |
| Ambient | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reference Values
0-6 years: 11.3-64.7 mcg/dL
7-12 years: 12.8-81.2 mcg/dL
13-17 years: 14.4-97.7 mcg/dL
≥18 years: 32.5-78.0 mcg/dL
Interpretation
The World Health Organization recommendations supplementation when vitamin A levels fall below 20.0 mcg/dL. Severe deficiency is indicated at levels less than 10.0 mcg/dL. There is no widely accepted serum vitamin A level associated with toxicity.
The rare occurrence of low Vitamin A and E levels might correlate with potential deficiency and investigation of potential fat malabsorptions should be considered.
Clinical Reference
1. Sodi R, Taylor A. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2020:466-487
2. Vitamin A and Carotenoids-Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Updated March 10, 2025. Accessed October 7, 2025. Available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
3. Greaves RF, Woollard GA, Hoad KE, et al. Laboratory medicine best practice guideline: vitamins a, e and the carotenoids in blood. Clin Biochem Rev. 2014;35(2):81-113
4. Tanumihardjo SA, Russell RM, Stephensen CB, et al. Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND)-Vitamin A Review. J Nutr. 2016;146(9):1816S-48S. doi:10.3945/jn.115.229708
5. Wiseman EM, Bar-El Dadon S, Reifen R. The vicious cycle of vitamin a deficiency: A review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017;57(17):3703-3714. doi:10.1080/10408398.2016.1160362
6. Penniston KL, Tanumihardjo SA. The acute and chronic toxic effects of vitamin A. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(2):191-201. doi:10.1093/ajcn/83.2.191
7. Mehta S, Fawzi W. Effects of vitamins, including vitamin A, on HIV/AIDS patients. Vitam Horm. 2007;75:355-83. doi:10.1016/S0083-6729(06)75013-0
8. Fawzi WW, Msamanga GI, Spiegelman D, Wei R, Kapiga S, Villamor E, Mwakagile D, Mugusi F, Hertzmark E, Essex M, Hunter DJ. A randomized trial of multivitamin supplements and HIV disease progression and mortality. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(1):23-32. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa040541
9. Wong CY, Chu DH. Cutaneous signs of nutritional disorders. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part A):647-652. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.09.003
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday, Sunday
Report Available
2 to 5 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84590
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VITA | Vitamin A, S | 2923-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7597 | Vitamin A | 2923-1 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a General Request (T239) with the specimen.