Vitamin A (Retinol)

Test Code
VITAR


Alias/See Also

LAB580



CPT Codes
<p>84590</p>

Preferred Specimen

Patient Preparation: Overnight fasting is required.

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Amber plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Separate from cells as soon as possible after clotting.
  2. Send serum in an amber tube. If amber tube is not available, wrap tube in aluminum foil to protect from light.


Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is required

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL



Instructions
Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes. Centrifuge to separate serum from the cells within 24 hours of collection and immediately pour serum into a plastic transport tube.


Transport Container
Plastic transport tube - light protected


Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)


Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 24 hours

Refrigerated: 7 days

Frozen: 28 days



Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received in serum separator tube or red-top tube (no gel) collection tube • Received room temperature • Not light protected • Plasma • Grossly hemolyzed or heavily lipemic sera



Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.



FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3-4 days


Report Available

3 days



Limitations

Results may be elevated in women on oral contraceptives.



Reference Range
1-6 Years 20-43 mcg/dL
7-12 Years 26-49 mcg/dL
13-19 Years 26-72 mcg/dL
Adult 38-98 mcg/dL


Clinical Significance
Vitamin A is critical for vision, growth, and many cell functions. High concentrations of Vitamin A are seen with renal failure, but this is not associated with toxicity and excessive ingestion. High concentrations are associated with bone fractures. Low concentrations of Vitamin A are consistent with fat malabsorption and are rarely due to inadequate diet.


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153


Last Updated: October 15, 2019


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.