Test Id : VITAP
Vitamin A, Serum
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing vitamin A deficiency or toxicity as part of a profile
Monitoring vitamin A therapy as part of a profile
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see VITAE / Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Serum.
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Retinols
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Serum
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see VITAE / Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Serum.
Patient Preparation:
1. Fasting: 12 hours, required; Infants should have specimen collected before next feeding
2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection.
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL serum
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into light protected plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
Serum: 0.25 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
| Ambient | 7 days | LIGHT PROTECTED | |
| Frozen | 28 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing vitamin A deficiency or toxicity as part of a profile
Monitoring vitamin A therapy as part of a profile
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
The level of vitamin A in the plasma or serum is a reflection of the quantities of vitamin A and carotene (provitamin A) ingested and absorbed by the intestine (carotene is converted to vitamin A by intestinal absorptive cells and hepatocytes).
Vitamin A plays an essential role in the function of the retina (adaptation to dim light), is necessary for growth and differentiation of epithelial tissue, and is required for growth of bone, reproduction, and embryonic development. Together with certain carotenoids, vitamin A also plays a critical role in immune function, with deficiency associated with increased susceptibility and severity of some infectious diseases.
Degenerative changes in eyes and skin are commonly observed in vitamin A deficiency. In developing countries, vitamin A deficiency is the principal preventable cause of blindness. Poor adaptation of vision to darkness (nyctalopia, night blindness) is an early symptom that may be followed by degenerative changes in the retina. Severe or prolonged deficiency leads to xerophthalmia, which can result in dry eye, corneal ulcers, Bitot spots, keratomalacia, and ultimately blindness. Skin changes such as dry skin, generalized xerosis, and phrynoderma are commonly observed in conjunction with vision disorders caused by vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A in excess can be toxic. In particular, chronic vitamin A intoxication is a concern in normal adults who ingest more than 15 mg per day and children who ingest more than 6 mg per day of vitamin A over a period of several months. Manifestations are various and include dry skin, cheilosis, glossitis, vomiting, alopecia, bone demineralization and pain, hypercalcemia, lymph node enlargement, hyperlipidemia, amenorrhea, and features of pseudotumor cerebri with increased intracranial pressure and papilledema. Liver fibrosis with portal hypertension may also result. 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.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see VITAE / Vitamin A and Vitamin E, Serum
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
> or =18 years: 32.5-78.0 mcg/dL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
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. There is no widely accepted serum vitamin A level associated with toxicity.
The rare occurrence of low Vitamin A and E levels might correlate with potential deficiency and investigation of potential fat malabsorptions should be considered.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Acute alcohol ingestion may result in increased serum vitamin A levels. Patients should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection.
Testing of nonfasting specimens or the use of vitamin supplementation can result in elevated serum vitamin concentrations. Reference values were established using specimens from individuals who were fasting.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Sodi R, Taylor A. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2020:466-487
2. Vitamin A and Carotenoids-Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Updated March 10, 2025. Accessed October 7, 2025. Available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
3. Greaves RF, Woollard GA, Hoad KE, et al. Laboratory medicine best practice guideline: vitamins a, e and the carotenoids in blood. Clin Biochem Rev. 2014;35(2):81-113
4. Tanumihardjo SA, Russell RM, Stephensen CB, et al. Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND)-Vitamin A Review. J Nutr. 2016;146(9):1816S-48S. doi:10.3945/jn.115.229708
5. Wiseman EM, Bar-El Dadon S, Reifen R. The vicious cycle of vitamin a deficiency: A review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017;57(17):3703-3714. doi:10.1080/10408398.2016.1160362
6. Penniston KL, Tanumihardjo SA. The acute and chronic toxic effects of vitamin A. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(2):191-201. doi:10.1093/ajcn/83.2.191
7. Mehta S, Fawzi W. Effects of vitamins, including vitamin A, on HIV/AIDS patients. Vitam Horm. 2007;75:355-83. doi:10.1016/S0083-6729(06)75013-0
8. Fawzi WW, Msamanga GI, Spiegelman D, Wei R, Kapiga S, Villamor E, Mwakagile D, Mugusi F, Hertzmark E, Essex M, Hunter DJ. A randomized trial of multivitamin supplements and HIV disease progression and mortality. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(1):23-32. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa040541
9. Wong CY, Chu DH. Cutaneous signs of nutritional disorders. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part A):647-652. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.09.003
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Deuterated vitamin A (d6-all-trans retinol) is added to serum as an internal standard. Vitamin A (all-trans retinol) and the deuterated internal standard are extracted from the specimens and analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Friday, Sunday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
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Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
84590
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VITAP | Vitamin A, S | 2923-1 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| 605124 | Vitamin A | 2923-1 |