Vitamin A, Serum/ Edta Plasma

Prolonged vitamin A deficiency can lead to loss of vision in the night, affect the mucous membrane in the eye and lead to blindness. The body itself cannot produce vitamin A and has to be provided for through diet or supplement. Vitamin A is stored in the body in the liver (dietary sources are stored in the liver and a year’s worth of vitamin A can be found in a healthy adult’s liver at any time) and in fat tissues as it is a fat soluble vitamin. An optimal amount is maintained in the blood at all times through a feedback mechanism.

A vitamin A test is ordered when a deficiency is suspected.

Dry eyes, skin and hair, night blindness, graying spots on the lining of the eyes are signs of vitamin A deficiency.

In certain diseases, vitamin A absorption may be affected and routine testing may be needed to monitor vitamin A levels. Conditions like Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome can cause vitamin A deficiency.

When your doctor suspects that you have vitamin A toxicity, he may order the test for you. Symptoms include headache, weakness, irritability, joint and bone pain, blurred vision, double vision, loss of mucous membrane etc.

A vitamin A test measures the amount of retinol in the blood to check for deficiency or toxicity.

Other names: Vitamin A, Retinol test 

Vitamin A is a nutrient that is required for the body for different functions. One of the important function is a healthy vision. Vitamin A is also needed for healthy skin, immune system function, bone formation etc. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin.

Normal levels of vitamin A is between 30.00 - 80.00 µg/dL

Interpretation of Vitamin A test

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) causes significant increase in childhood and maternal morbidity. Serum retinol is decreased in severe VAD when liver stores are nearly exhausted. In addition infection depresses the retinol concentration in blood. VAD may lead to night blindness, keratomalacia and Xerophthalemia (dryness of cornea). Excess Vitamin A produces toxic effects. Bone and joint pain, hair loss, lip dryness and fissures, anorexia, benign intra-cranial hypertension, weight loss and hepatmomegaly are characteristics of chronic toxicity. Alternate causes of high blood levels of Vitamin A include impaired disposal caused by diabetes mellitus, chronic nephritis or myxedema. Congenital malformations, like spontaneous abortions, craniofacial abnormalities, and valvular heart disease have been described in pregnant women taking vitamin A in excess. Consequently, in pregnancy, the daily dose of vitamin A should not exceed 3 mg.

Your doctor will help interpret the report for you basis why the test is ordered for you.