Vitamin A, Serum or Plasma

Overview:

Vitamin A is needed for vision, particularly in low light, and for immune function, skin and the linings of the body. It comes as preformed retinol from animal foods and supplements, and as carotenoids from plants that the body converts. Deficiency is uncommon where food is plentiful but occurs with fat malabsorption, liver disease and very restricted diets, and it is a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Vitamin A is fat soluble and stored in the liver, so excess from supplements can accumulate and cause harm, including during pregnancy, which makes testing relevant at both ends.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker