Vitamin A is a form of Retinol; it has a number of roles in the immune system, acting as the body's first line of defense. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for a variety of body processes, including healthy vision, a robust immune system, reproduction, and skin health.
Lack of Vitamin A in the body can cause various health issues, from minor ones like dry skin and eyes to more serious ones like adult night blindness and infant growth retardation. Therefore, it is crucial for those who are more likely to have Vitamin A deficits to get tested for Vitamin A.
What are the uses of the vitamin A (retinol) test?
Vitamin A test is used to:
- Identifying a vitamin A deficit: Your body becomes deficient in vitamin A when it doesn't receive enough of it. Vitamin A insufficiency can be brought on by a vitamin A-deficient diet and several conditions. Vision problems, including night blindness, are among the symptoms. Taking vitamin A tests can diagnose it. Consuming a lot of vitamin A-containing meals will help you avoid vitamin A deficiency.
- Determining Vitamin A toxicity: It is possible to become toxic to vitamin A either by using it topically or ingesting it. There are two types of oral vitamin A toxicity- acute (caused by ingesting a lot of vitamin A in a short length of time) and chronic (caused by ingesting vitamin A over an extended period of time). The teratogenicity of systemic retinoids is their most serious side effect. Skin erythema,peeling, and irritation are the most frequent side effects of topical vitamin A. Vitamin A test helps to diagnose toxicity.
- To detect diseases like Celiac disease and Crohn's disease, which can be due to vitamin deficiencies
- To detect diseases like Celiac disease and Crohn's disease, which can be due to vitamin deficiencies
What is the need of the vitamin A (retinol) test?
The vitamin A test measures the level of vitamin A present in the blood. Vitamin A is a necessary nutrient for growth and also for good skin, the construction of bones, the immune system, and the development of the embryo.
Vitamin A toxicity is often brought on by excessive supplement usage, although it can also result from diets high in vitamin A-rich foods. People who do not consume enough meat, fruits, and vegetables in their diets may get vitamin A deficiency. Night blindness is mostly caused by vitamin A deficiency.
How to prepare for the test ?
As directed by your doctor, refrain from eating or drinking anything for up to 12 to 14 hours before the test. Do not take alcohol before 24 hours of the test. Your doctor will inform you if there are other preparations prior to the test.
What happens during a Vitamin A test?
During the Vitamin A test, a blood sample will be taken. For which a needle will be used for withdrawing blood from veins, and a little amount will be taken in a test vial. Some patients experience significant pain when the needle is placed to draw blood. Others merely experience a sting or prick. There might be little bruising or pain thereafter but it vanishes off soon.
Understanding the results
Normal Results - 20 to 60 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or 0.69 to 2.09 micromoles per liter (micromol/L) are considered normal levels.
Different laboratories may have somewhat different normal value ranges. Some laboratories test various samples or use various metrics. Ask your doctor what your particular test findings signify.
Abnormal results:When the reports come and the levels are not between the referred levels, it means you don't have enough vitamin A in your blood if the result is lower than usual. This may lead to:
- Bones or teeth that do not develop correctly
- Dry or inflamed eyes
- Irritation
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Night blindness
- Recurring infections
- Skin rashes
A higher-than-normal value means you have excess vitamin A in your blood (toxic levels). This may cause:
- Anemia
- Bone and muscle pain;
- Diarrhea
- Double vision
- Hair loss
- Increased pressure in the brain (pseudotumor cerebri)
- Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
- Liver and spleen enlargement
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Vitamin A insufficiency may arise if your body has problems absorbing lipids via the digestive tract. This might happen if you have:
- Chronic lung disease or cystic fibrosis
- Pancreas issues, such as pancreatitis, which causes swelling and inflammation, or the organ not releasing enough enzymes (pancreatic insufficiency)
- Diseases of the small intestine that hinder the absorption of nutrients, such as celiac disease
Risks of having Vitamin A test?
There are no risks or dangers of having a blood test. The dimensions of veins and arteries differ from person to person and from one side of the body to the other. It could be more challenging to draw blood from certain persons than from others.
**Note- Test for vitamin A costs in India at different locations may vary
Book Test for vitamin A at Medicover Hospitals. Call us at 040-68334455
