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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: Patient should fast overnight (12-14 hours); infants should have specimen collected before next feeding.
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
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into light protected plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Useful For
Diagnosing vitamin A deficiency and toxicity
Evaluating persons with intestinal malabsorption of lipids
Monitoring of Vitamin E supplementation/treatment
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
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. Vitamin A values above 120.0 mcg/dL suggest hypervitaminosis A and associated toxicity.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol):
Vitamin E concentrations within the healthy reference population range usually indicate adequate Vitamin A stores.
The rare occurrence of low Vitamin A levels might correlate with potential deficiency and investigation of potential fat malabsorptions should be considered.
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).
Clinical Reference
1. Ball GFM. Vitamins: Their role in the human body. Blackwell Publishing; 2004:234-255
2. Ross AC. Vitamin A and carotenoids. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross MC, et al, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006:351-375
3. Traber MG. Vitamin E. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, et al, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease.10th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006:434-441
4. Roberts NB, Taylor A, Sodi R. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:chap37
5. Sodi R. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:417-417.e104.
Day(s) Performed
Sunday through Friday
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 |