Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Message

*Protect from light.

Test Code

931

Alias/See Also

LAB130

CPT Codes
84446

Includes

Vitamin E, Alpha-Tocopherol and Vitamin E, Beta-Gamma-Tocopherol

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum - protected from light

Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is required

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Foil wrapped transport tube protected from light

Instructions

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

Transport Container

Amber transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

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

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

Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

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 FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

10: 00 a. M. Mon-sat

Report Available

2-3 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

Deficiency of vitamin E may cause extensive neuropathy in young children and, in addition, is suspect as a possible cause of motor and sensory neuropathy in older children and in adults. One likely cause of vitamin E deficiency is intestinal malabsorption, resulting from bowel disease, pancreatic disease, or chronic cholestasis. Other causes of malabsorption of vitamin E include celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and intestinal lymphangiectasia.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

27027 Tourney Road

Valencia, CA 91355-5386

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.