{"id":10101,"date":"2025-07-25T00:08:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T21:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=10101"},"modified":"2026-07-08T12:58:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:58:50","slug":"vitamin-a-in-the-blood-how-do-you-know-what-is-not-present-in-the-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/vitamin-a-in-the-blood-how-do-you-know-what-is-not-present-in-the-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitamin A in the blood: how to find out what the body lacks"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-102\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"2ee952d7-d867-46dd-98a4-1f6594876580\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light\">\n<p data-start=\"205\" data-end=\"541\"><strong data-start=\"205\" data-end=\"257\">Fatigue, dry skin, poor vision at dusk\u2026<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"543\" data-end=\"860\">Timely determination of vitamin A in the blood helps to prevent serious consequences and adjust nutrition or therapy. In this article, we will take a detailed look at why you should get tested. <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/vitamins-and-microelements\/\" title=\"Vitamins and trace elements\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"20\">vitamin analysis<\/a> A, how the preparation takes place, who needs it, what the consequences of a deficit and surplus can be, and how the results are interpreted.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"902\">What is vitamin A and why is it important?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"1170\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1191\">Functions of vitamin A:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1192\" data-end=\"1378\">\n<li data-start=\"1192\" data-end=\"1225\">\n<p data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1225\">Provides clear vision in the dark<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1273\">\n<p data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1273\">Participates in the formation of epithelial tissues<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1323\">\n<p data-start=\"1276\" data-end=\"1323\">Stimulates the regeneration of skin and mucous membranes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1349\">\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1349\">Regulates gene expression<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1350\" data-end=\"1378\">\n<p data-start=\"1352\" data-end=\"1378\">Supports immune response<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1430\">Who is recommended to check vitamin A levels?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1432\" data-end=\"1481\">The analysis is most often prescribed in the following cases:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1483\" data-end=\"1830\">\n<li data-start=\"1483\" data-end=\"1543\">\n<p data-start=\"1485\" data-end=\"1543\">Frequent infectious diseases (ARVI, otitis, conjunctivitis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1601\">\n<p data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1601\">Impaired vision at dusk (so-called &quot;night blindness&quot;)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1602\" data-end=\"1628\">\n<p data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1628\">Peeling and dry skin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1704\">\n<p data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1704\">Chronic gastrointestinal diseases (celiac disease, Crohn&#039;s disease)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1729\">\n<p data-start=\"1707\" data-end=\"1729\">Growth retardation in children<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1730\" data-end=\"1790\">\n<p data-start=\"1732\" data-end=\"1790\">Suspected hypervitaminosis A (especially when taking supplements)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1791\" data-end=\"1830\">\n<p data-start=\"1793\" data-end=\"1830\">Presence of hepatobiliary diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1832\" data-end=\"1862\">How to prepare for the analysis<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1864\" data-end=\"1939\">Preparing for a vitamin A test requires following a few simple conditions:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"2146\">\n<li data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"2022\">\n<p data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"2022\">Fasting: blood is taken in the morning, 8\u201312 hours after the last meal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2023\" data-end=\"2057\">\n<p data-start=\"2025\" data-end=\"2057\">Eliminate fatty foods for 24 hours<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2058\" data-end=\"2115\">\n<p data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2115\">Do not take vitamin complexes for at least 2\u20133 days before the test.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2116\" data-end=\"2146\">\n<p data-start=\"2118\" data-end=\"2146\">Avoid alcohol the day before<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2148\" data-end=\"2171\">Research methodology<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2173\" data-end=\"2372\">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.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2374\" data-end=\"2415\">Normal levels of vitamin A in the blood<\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_80l1q_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_80l1q_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2747\">\n<thead data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2483\">\n<tr data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2483\">\n<th data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2446\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Parameter<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2463\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Norm (mcg\/dL)<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"2463\" data-end=\"2483\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Norm (\u03bcmol\/L)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2747\">\n<tr data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2615\">\n<td data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2578\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Vitamin A (retinol)<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2578\" data-end=\"2595\" data-col-size=\"sm\">20\u201350<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2595\" data-end=\"2615\" data-col-size=\"sm\">0.7\u20131.75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2616\" data-end=\"2681\">\n<td data-start=\"2616\" data-end=\"2644\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Critical shortage<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2644\" data-end=\"2661\">&lt;10<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2661\" data-end=\"2681\">&lt;0.35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2747\">\n<td data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2710\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Potential toxicity<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2710\" data-end=\"2727\">&gt;100<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2727\" data-end=\"2747\">&gt;3.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2749\" data-end=\"2869\">It is worth considering that the norms may vary slightly in children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2871\" data-end=\"2900\">Signs of vitamin A deficiency<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2902\" data-end=\"3089\">\n<li data-start=\"2902\" data-end=\"2928\">\n<p data-start=\"2904\" data-end=\"2928\">Decreased vision at dusk<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2929\" data-end=\"2955\">\n<p data-start=\"2931\" data-end=\"2955\">Peeling and dry skin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"2985\">\n<p data-start=\"2958\" data-end=\"2985\">Frequent respiratory infections<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2986\" data-end=\"3015\">\n<p data-start=\"2988\" data-end=\"3015\">Dry eyes, xerophthalmia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3016\" data-end=\"3054\">\n<p data-start=\"3018\" data-end=\"3054\">In children, growth and development delay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3089\">\n<p data-start=\"3057\" data-end=\"3089\">In women, fertility disorders<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3129\">What is the danger of excess vitamin A?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3131\" data-end=\"3200\">Excessive consumption of retinol, especially through supplements, can cause:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3202\" data-end=\"3376\">\n<li data-start=\"3202\" data-end=\"3240\">\n<p data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3240\">Headache, nausea, dizziness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3241\" data-end=\"3275\">\n<p data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3275\">Skin peeling, hair loss<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3276\" data-end=\"3303\">\n<p data-start=\"3278\" data-end=\"3303\">Bone and joint pain<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3304\" data-end=\"3324\">\n<p data-start=\"3306\" data-end=\"3324\">Liver enlargement<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3325\" data-end=\"3376\">\n<p data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3376\">In pregnant women - teratogenic effect (risk to the fetus)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10103\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257.jpeg\" alt=\"woman reading test results in smartphone app\" width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257-150x60.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257-600x240.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257-300x120.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257-1024x410.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/257-768x307.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3378\" data-end=\"3429\">What diseases can affect vitamin A levels?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3431\" data-end=\"3482\">Decreased vitamin A concentrations can cause:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3484\" data-end=\"3589\">\n<li data-start=\"3484\" data-end=\"3501\">\n<p data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3501\">Chronic diarrhea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3502\" data-end=\"3532\">\n<p data-start=\"3504\" data-end=\"3532\">Fat malabsorption<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3533\" data-end=\"3552\">\n<p data-start=\"3535\" data-end=\"3552\">Hepatitis and cirrhosis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3553\" data-end=\"3565\">\n<p data-start=\"3555\" data-end=\"3565\">Pancreatitis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3566\" data-end=\"3589\">\n<p data-start=\"3568\" data-end=\"3589\">Kidney failure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3591\" data-end=\"3627\">What to do if deviations are detected<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3629\" data-end=\"3668\">After the analysis, the doctor may recommend:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3670\" data-end=\"3839\">\n<li data-start=\"3670\" data-end=\"3738\">\n<p data-start=\"3672\" data-end=\"3738\">Dietary correction (cod liver, butter, carrots, spinach)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3803\">\n<p data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3803\">Taking vitamin supplements (only on the recommendation of a doctor!)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3804\" data-end=\"3839\">\n<p data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"3839\">Repeat analysis after 1\u20133 months<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3841\" data-end=\"3865\">Where can I take the test?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3867\" data-end=\"4115\">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.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4117\" data-end=\"4149\">Recommended tests block<\/h3>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_80l1q_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_80l1q_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"4151\" data-end=\"4858\">\n<thead data-start=\"4151\" data-end=\"4268\">\n<tr data-start=\"4151\" data-end=\"4268\">\n<th data-start=\"4151\" data-end=\"4193\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Analysis name<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"4193\" data-end=\"4245\" data-col-size=\"md\">Goal<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4268\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Estimated cost<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4858\">\n<tr data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4504\">\n<td data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4428\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Vitamin A analysis<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"4428\" data-end=\"4480\">Definition <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-is-the-analysis-of-retinol-and-how-to-control-it\/\">retinol level<\/a><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"4480\" data-end=\"4504\">from 550 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"4505\" data-end=\"4622\">\n<td data-start=\"4505\" data-end=\"4546\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/vitamins\/vitamin-d-25oh-vitamin-d-total-d2-d3\/\">Vitamin D analysis<\/a><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"4546\" data-end=\"4598\">For a comprehensive assessment of bone condition and immunity<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"4598\" data-end=\"4622\">from 600 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"4623\" data-end=\"4740\">\n<td data-start=\"4623\" data-end=\"4664\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Biochemical blood test<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"4664\" data-end=\"4716\">Assessment of liver function, proteins, enzymes<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"4716\" data-end=\"4740\">from 370 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"4741\" data-end=\"4858\">\n<td data-start=\"4741\" data-end=\"4782\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Complex &quot;Fat-soluble vitamins&quot;\u00ab<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"4834\">A, D, E, K \u2014 general assessment of vitamin status<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4858\">from 1200 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\">Monitoring your vitamin A levels is an investment in your health. If you experience frequent colds, decreased vision at night, or notice dry skin, don&#039;t delay. A simple test will help you identify the problem in time and avoid complex consequences that, at first glance, are completely unrelated to the vitamin.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"pointer-events-none h-px w-px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-edge=\"true\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fatigue, dry skin, poor vision at night... These symptoms are often associated with general exhaustion or overwork, although the cause may lie<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":10102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[237,233],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vitaminy-ta-mikroelementy","category-rozshyfrovka-analiziv-ta-pidgotovka"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10101"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14068,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10101\/revisions\/14068"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}