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Alternative names Return to top
Retinol testDefinition Return to top
The vitamin A blood test measures the amount of vitamin A (see also beta-carotene).How the test is performed Return to top
Adult or child:How to prepare for the test Return to top
Fast for 4 hours before the test.How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
To investigate the possibility of vitamin A deficiency or excess, both of which are rare in the developing world.
Normal Values Return to top
Normal values range from 50 to 200 mcg/dl. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
Note: mcg/dl = microgram per deciliterWhat abnormal results mean Return to top
Abnormal values reflect a deficiency of vitamin A that may be associated with:What the risks are Return to top
Risks associated with venipuncture are slight:Special considerations Return to top
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Update Date: 2/2/2004 Updated by: Tarun Jain, M.D., Endocrinology & Infertility Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |