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HelpTest Code VITAE Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Serum
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.
Specimen 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: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL serum
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a light protected plastic vial.
Useful For
Assessment of vitamin A and vitamin E status
Monitoring vitamin A and vitamin E therapy
Evaluating individuals with intestinal malabsorption of lipids
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| VITAP | Vitamin A, S | Yes, (Order VITA) | Yes |
| VITE | Vitamin E, S | Yes | Yes |
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Vitamin A and Vitamin E, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
Serum: 0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
| Frozen | 28 days | LIGHT PROTECTED | |
| Ambient | 7 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reference Values
VITAMIN A (RETINOL)
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
VITAMIN E (ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL)
0-17 years: 3.8-18.4 mg/L
≥18 years: 5.5-17.0 mg/L
Interpretation
Vitamin A:
The World Health Organization recommends 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.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol):
Vitamin E levels below the reference interval suggest deficiency
Conversely, Vitamin E concentrations significantly above the upper healthy reference population range might indicate that Vitamin E intake exceeds the tolerable upper daily intake level(s).
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; 2019:466-487
2. National Institute of Mental Health. Vitamin A and Carotenoids-Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. 2023.
3. Greaves RF, Woollard GA, Hoad KE, Walmsley TA, Johnson LA, Briscoe S, Koetsier S, Harrower T, Gill JP. 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, Gannon BM, Craft NE, Haskell MJ, Lietz G, Schulze K, Raiten DJ. 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
10. National Institute of Mental Health. Vitamin E-Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. 2023.
11. Greaves RF, Woollard GA, Hoad KE, Walmsley TA, Johnson LA, Briscoe S, Koetsier S, Harrower T, Gill JP. Laboratory medicine best practice guideline: vitamins a, e and the carotenoids in blood. Clin Biochem Rev. 2014;35(2):81-113
12. Brigelius-Flohé R, Traber MG. Vitamin E: function and metabolism. FASEB J. 1999;13(10):1145-55
13. Traber MG, Head B. Vitamin E: How much is enough, too much and why! Free Radic Biol Med. 2021;177:212-225. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.10.028
14. Traber MG. Vitamin E inadequacy in humans: causes and consequences. Adv Nutr. 2014;5(5):503-14. doi:10.3945/an.114.006254
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
84446
84590
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VITAE | Vitamin A and Vitamin E, S | 96600-2 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2350 | A-Tocopherol, Vitamin E | 1823-4 |
| 605124 | Vitamin A | 2923-1 |