Vitamin A and Carotene

CPT: 82380; 84590
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Special Instructions

Patients must fast a minimum of eight hours. No foods containing vitamin A or carotene should be ingested in the previous 48 hours by patients older than six months. For those who are younger than six months, the period is 24 hours.


Expected Turnaround Time

4 - 6 days


Related Documents


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Serum; beta carotene protected from light


Volume

Two aliquots: 0.8 mL each


Minimum Volume

Two aliquots: 0.4 mL each (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)


Container

Vitamin A can be shipped in red-top tube or gel-barrier tube; beta carotene should be shipped in amber plastic transport tube with amber top. (If amber tubes are unavailable, cover standard transport tubes completely, top and bottom, with aluminum foil. Identify specimens with the patient's name directly on the containers and on the outside of the aluminum foil. Secure with tape.) For amber plastic transport tube and amber-top, order LabCorp No. 23598.


Collection

Transfer specimens to separate amber plastic transport tubes. Beta carotene should be shipped in amber plastic transport tube with amber top.


Storage Instructions

Room temperature. Beta carotene should be light-protected.


Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3


Patient Preparation

Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection. For those who are younger than six months, draw prior to next feeding. Blood should be collected before breakfast in the morning and prior to any medication.


Causes for Rejection

Beta carotene specimen not protected from light; sample type other than serum received


Test Details


Use

A combination of a low serum carotene level and a low vitamin A suggests inadequate vitamin A nutrition.


Limitations

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.


Methodology

Vitamin A: Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS); Carotene: High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection


LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
001750 Vitamin A and Carotene 001529 Carotene, Beta ug/dL 2053-7
001750 Vitamin A and Carotene 142004 Vitamin A ug/dL 2923-1

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