Specimen Requirements
Title
VITAMIN A (RETINOL)
Specimen Requirement
PATIENT PREP: 12-14 HOUR FASTING
Draw SST and protect from light while tube clots. Spin, separate serum from cells within 2 hours, and send 1.0 mL serum frozen in an amber screw-capped plastic vial. Indicate”serum/SST” on transport vial. Contact lab for dry ice for shipment.
Methodology
Stability
Frozen: 2 months
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
1-3 DAYS
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