Vitamin A in the blood: how to find out what the body lacks

Fatigue, dry skin, poor vision at dusk… Often, these symptoms are associated with general exhaustion or fatigue, although the cause may lie in a banal but dangerous deficiency of vitamin A. This is one of the main fat-soluble vitamins responsible for vision, skin, mucous membranes, immunity, and even the proper functioning of genes.

Timely determination of vitamin A in the blood helps prevent serious consequences and adjust nutrition or therapy. In this article, we will take a detailed look at why you should take a vitamin A test, how to prepare, who needs it, what the consequences of deficiency and excess can be, and how to interpret the results.

What is vitamin A and why is it important?

Vitamin A (retinol) is a group of biologically active compounds, the most famous of which are retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid. It enters the body either in the form of ready-made retinol from animal products or as a provitamin - beta-carotene from plant foods.

Functions of vitamin A:

• Provides clear vision in the dark

• Participates in the formation of epithelial tissues

• Stimulates the regeneration of skin and mucous membranes

• Regulates gene expression

• Supports immune response

Who is recommended to check vitamin A levels?

The analysis is most often prescribed in the following cases:

• Frequent infectious diseases (ARVI, otitis, conjunctivitis)

• Impaired vision at dusk (so-called "night blindness")

• Peeling and dry skin

• Chronic gastrointestinal diseases (celiac disease, Crohn's disease)

• Growth retardation in children

• Suspected hypervitaminosis A (especially when taking supplements)

• Presence of hepatobiliary diseases

How to prepare for the analysis

Preparing for a vitamin A test requires following a few simple conditions:

• Fasting: blood is taken in the morning, 8–12 hours after the last meal

• Eliminate fatty foods for 24 hours

• Do not take vitamin complexes for at least 2–3 days before the test.

• Avoid alcohol the day before

Research methodology

Most laboratories use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure vitamin A levels in serum. This is a highly accurate method that allows for accurate measurement of retinol concentrations.

Normal levels of vitamin A in the blood

It is worth considering that the norms may vary slightly in children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases.

Signs of vitamin A deficiency

• Decreased vision at dusk

• Peeling and dry skin

• Frequent respiratory infections

• Dry eyes, xerophthalmia

• In children, growth and development delay

• In women, fertility disorders

What is the danger of excess vitamin A?

Excessive consumption of retinol, especially through supplements, can cause:

• Headache, nausea, dizziness

• Skin peeling, hair loss

• Bone and joint pain

• Liver enlargement

• In pregnant women - teratogenic effect (risk to the fetus)

What diseases can affect vitamin A levels?

Decreased vitamin A concentrations can cause:

• Chronic diarrhea

• Fat malabsorption

• Hepatitis and cirrhosis

• Pancreatitis

• Kidney failure

What to do if deviations are detected

After the analysis, the doctor may recommend:

• Dietary correction (cod liver, butter, carrots, spinach)

• Taking vitamin supplements (only on the recommendation of a doctor!)

• Repeat analysis after 1–3 months

Where can I take the test?

At Medilab Plus, we offer high-quality laboratory testing of vitamin A levels using modern equipment. The test is performed quickly, with results the next day. We provide consultations on the preparation and interpretation of results.

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