Specimen Requirements
Title
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Specimen Requirement
Patient preparation:
Fast 12-14 hours
Collection instructions:
Collect SST or red top, centrifuge within 2 hours of collection, transfer 1.0 mL serum to an amber screw top plastic vial, indicate sample type on tube and send frozen on dry ice.
Critical frozen. Protect from light.
Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Stability
Room temp/Refrigerated: Unacceptable, Frozen: 60 days
Reference Range
The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.
Turnaround
1-4 days performed Monday-Friday
Clinical Use
Differential diagnosis of hypervitaminosis A. A combination of a low serum carotene level and a low vitamin A suggests inadequate vitamin A nutrition.
Test Code
VITA