{"id":9638,"date":"2025-04-16T05:42:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T02:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9638"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:54:32","slug":"what-is-the-analysis-of-retinol-and-how-to-control-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-is-the-analysis-of-retinol-and-how-to-control-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Retinol level: what the analysis shows and how to monitor it"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"525\"><strong data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"176\">Retinol<\/strong>, or vitamin A, is a fat-soluble compound that performs a number of important functions in the human body. Its level in the blood is an important marker for both general health and for diagnosing vitamin A deficiencies or excess. In this article, we will look at why retinol levels are measured, how the test is performed, and what factors affect the result.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"527\" data-end=\"561\">The importance of retinol for the body<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"586\">Retinol is necessary for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"777\">\n<li data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"620\">\n<p data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"620\"><strong data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"598\">vision<\/strong>, especially twilight<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"621\" data-end=\"661\">\n<p data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"661\"><strong data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"661\">protein synthesis and cell growth<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"696\">\n<p data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"696\"><strong data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"696\">formation of an immune response<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"736\">\n<p data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"736\"><strong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"728\">protection of mucous membranes<\/strong> and skin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"777\">\n<p data-start=\"739\" data-end=\"777\"><strong data-start=\"739\" data-end=\"767\">antioxidant protection<\/strong> organism<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"921\">Retinol deficiency is most often manifested by reduced vision in the dark (night blindness), dry skin, frequent colds, and growth retardation in children.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"966\">When to check your retinol levels<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"968\" data-end=\"1025\">A doctor may prescribe a retinol test in the following cases:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1324\">\n<li data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1100\">\n<p data-start=\"1029\" data-end=\"1100\">symptoms <strong data-start=\"1038\" data-end=\"1055\">avitaminosis A<\/strong> (visual impairment, dry skin, frequent infections)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1101\" data-end=\"1159\">\n<p data-start=\"1103\" data-end=\"1159\">disease <strong data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1138\">liver, intestines<\/strong>, pancreas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1203\">\n<p data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1203\"><strong data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1176\">alcoholism<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1203\">prolonged malnutrition<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1261\">\n<p data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1261\">CONTROL <strong data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1237\">vitamin A supplements<\/strong> (risk of hypervitaminosis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1262\" data-end=\"1324\">\n<p data-start=\"1264\" data-end=\"1324\">screening of children with signs of physical development delay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1367\">How is the retinol level test performed?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1369\" data-end=\"1641\">To determine the level of retinol, use <strong data-start=\"1414\" data-end=\"1430\">venous blood<\/strong>. The analysis is carried out by the method <strong data-start=\"1457\" data-end=\"1507\">high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)<\/strong> or spectrophotometry. These are highly accurate laboratory techniques that allow you to detect the concentration of retinol even in low quantities.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1643\" data-end=\"1668\">Preparation for analysis<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1704\">Before donating blood, it is recommended to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1928\">\n<li data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1730\">\n<p data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1730\"><strong data-start=\"1708\" data-end=\"1730\">not eating for 8\u201312 hours<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1731\" data-end=\"1767\">\n<p data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1767\"><strong data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1755\">eliminate alcohol<\/strong> in 48 hours<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1847\">\n<p data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1847\"><strong data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1807\">do not take fat-soluble vitamins<\/strong> (especially A, <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-is-the-most-necessary-vitamin-d-test-and-how-to-give-it-correctly\/\">D<\/a>, E, K) at least 3 days<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1928\">\n<p data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1928\">inform the doctor about the appointment <strong data-start=\"1879\" data-end=\"1928\">antiepileptic or hormonal drugs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1930\" data-end=\"1952\">Normal indicators<\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_16hzy_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_16hzy_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"1954\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<thead data-start=\"1954\" data-end=\"1994\">\n<tr data-start=\"1954\" data-end=\"1994\">\n<th data-start=\"1954\" data-end=\"1966\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Category<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1966\" data-end=\"1994\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Retinol level (\u03bcg\/dL)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<tr data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2077\">\n<td data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2047\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Adults<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2047\" data-end=\"2077\" data-col-size=\"sm\">30\u201380<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2078\" data-end=\"2118\">\n<td data-start=\"2078\" data-end=\"2096\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Children under 5 years old<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2096\" data-end=\"2118\" data-col-size=\"sm\">20\u201350<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2161\">\n<td data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2136\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Low<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2136\" data-end=\"2161\" data-col-size=\"sm\">&lt;20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2162\" data-end=\"2203\">\n<td data-start=\"2162\" data-end=\"2192\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Potentially toxic level<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2192\" data-end=\"2203\" data-col-size=\"sm\">&gt;120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\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=\"2205\" data-end=\"2357\">A decrease below 20 mcg\/dL indicates a deficiency. A level above 100 mcg\/dL may signal an excess, which is dangerous for the liver and nervous system.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2359\" data-end=\"2385\">What affects the result?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2387\" data-end=\"2440\">In addition to nutrition, the following can distort the analysis result:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2691\">\n<li data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2482\">\n<p data-start=\"2444\" data-end=\"2482\"><strong data-start=\"2444\" data-end=\"2482\">jaundice or liver disease<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2519\">\n<p data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2519\"><strong data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2519\">use of vitamin complexes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2520\" data-end=\"2584\">\n<p data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2584\"><strong data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2562\">medications that alter fat absorption<\/strong> (e.g. Orlistat)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2585\" data-end=\"2642\">\n<p data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2642\"><strong data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2607\">inflammatory processes<\/strong> (low retinol due to infections)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2643\" data-end=\"2691\">\n<p data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2691\"><strong data-start=\"2645\" data-end=\"2669\">state of fat metabolism<\/strong> (hypercholesterolemia)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9640\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3.jpg\" alt=\"Foods high in vitamin A\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3-150x79.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3-600x314.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/225-3-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2693\" data-end=\"2724\">How to restore retinol levels<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2726\" data-end=\"2924\">Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor may prescribe <strong data-start=\"2772\" data-end=\"2825\">vitamin A in the form of retinol acetate or palmitate<\/strong>. Daily intake for adults is <strong data-start=\"2855\" data-end=\"2870\">700\u2013900 mcg<\/strong>, for children \u2014 <strong data-start=\"2884\" data-end=\"2899\">300\u2013600 mcg<\/strong>. Sources of vitamin A are:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2926\" data-end=\"3050\">\n<li data-start=\"2926\" data-end=\"2953\">\n<p data-start=\"2928\" data-end=\"2953\"><strong data-start=\"2928\" data-end=\"2939\">liver<\/strong>, fish oil<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"2991\">\n<p data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"2991\"><strong data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"2966\">carrot<\/strong>, pumpkin, sweet pepper<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2992\" data-end=\"3018\">\n<p data-start=\"2994\" data-end=\"3018\"><strong data-start=\"2994\" data-end=\"3002\">eggs<\/strong>, butter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3019\" data-end=\"3050\">\n<p data-start=\"3021\" data-end=\"3050\"><strong data-start=\"3021\" data-end=\"3031\">green<\/strong> (parsley, spinach)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3052\" data-end=\"3212\">It is important to get tested before using supplements, as excess retinol can cause <strong data-start=\"3141\" data-end=\"3211\">headache, nausea, loss of appetite, brittle nails and hair<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3214\" data-end=\"3520\">The retinol level is a simple but informative indicator that helps to detect both a deficiency and a potential excess of vitamin A in time. Its regular monitoring is especially important for people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, women during pregnancy, and children during periods of active growth.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Retinol, or vitamin A, is a fat-soluble compound that performs a number of important functions in the human body. Its blood levels<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9639,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9638","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=9638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}