| Source |
Blood |
| Mnemonic |
VITA |
| Specimen Requirements |
1 x 3.5 mL gold top SST tube
0.5 mL serum
Minimum Blood Volumes for Micro-Collections using Microtainers
Patient must be fasting (>10 hours) with no alcohol or nutritional supplements within 24 hours.
Protect from light by wrapping tubes in foil. |
| Specimen Handling |
PSC & RRL:
Centrifuge, pour off and transport serum on ice to DSC.
Extra-regional:
Centrifuge, pour off and freeze serum prior to transport to DSC. Must protect from light by wrapping tubes in foil.
DSC:
Freeze specimens upon receipt in lab; ensure frozen specimens do not thaw. |
| Additional Information |
This assay does not measure other vitamin A metabolites such as retinaldehyde and retinoic acid.
Some foods containing vitamin A include liver, whole milk, colourful fruits and vegetables (i.e. dried apricots, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, kale, spinach). |
| Testing Location |
Analytical Toxicology |
|
| Testing Frequency |
Weekly |
| Alternate Name(s) |
Retinol |
| Reference Interval |
0 - 12 months: 0.5 to 1.8 µmol/L
1 - 6 years: 0.7 to 1.5 µmol/L
7 - 12 years: 0.9 to 1.7 µmol/L
13 - 18 years: 0.9 to 2.5 µmol/L
≥ 18 years: 1.5 - 3.5 µmol/L
|
