Vitamin A (Retinol) Test
Understanding Vitamin A (Retinol) Test
What is Vitamin A (Retinol) Test?
Vitamin A test is a blood test which is performed to evaluate the amount of Vitamin A in your blood.
This assay is useful for diagnosing Vitamin A deficiency & toxicity and for monitoring therapy. It evaluates persons with intestinal malabsorption of lipids. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness whereas chronic intoxication can affect several organs. Known HIV positive patients with Vitamin A deficiency show increased disease progression and mortality
What is Vitamin A (Retinol) Test used for?
- To diagnose Vitamin A deficiency
- To detect Vitamin A toxicity
- To monitor people with conditions which cause vitamin deficiencies such as Celiac Disease and Crohns Disease
What does Vitamin A (Retinol) Test measure?
Vitamin A is also called as Retinol. It is an essential nutrient required for healthy vision, skin growth and integrity, bone formation, immune function, and embryonic development.
Vitamin A toxicity is typically due to the overuse of supplements but may also be caused by diets which include large amounts of foods which are high in Vitamin A. Deficiency of Vitamin A may occur in people who do not get enough meat, fruits and vegetables in their diet. The most common symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is night blindness.
Interpreting Vitamin A (Retinol) Test results
Interpretations
A lower than normal value of vitamin A means you do not have enough vitamin A in your blood.
A high vitamin A blood level indicates excess of vitamin A in your blood. High concentrations of Vitamin A are associated with bone fractures.
Other tests
