Vitamin E, serum
Clinical Background:
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin of which alpha tocopherol has the highest biological activity. It is found in vegetables, seed oils and nuts. It is absorbed in the small i...
Vitamin E (tocopherol)
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin of which alpha tocopherol has the highest biological activity. It is found in vegetables, seed oils and nuts. It is absorbed in the small intestine with about half passing to the liver and half passing into the lymph. Wihtin the blood it is transported bound to LDL and HDL. Vitamin E accumulates in the liver, muscle and adipose tissue.
Vitamin E is an important chain-breaking antioxidant in cell membranes. It also acts to modulate signal transduction pathways.
Deficiency is rare but may occur in premature and newborn babies, conditions associated with fat malabsorption, patients on parenteral nutrition, abetalipoproteinaemia, homozygous hypobetalipoproteinaemia, familial isolated Vitamin E deficiency. This may result in peripheral neuropathy and spinocerebellar syndrome. Note that newborn babies have low serum Vitamin E concentration compared with adults, but may not have true Vitamin E deficiency i.e. with symptoms.
Relative to other fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamin E is safe. Few side effects have been reported even on very high doses.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (Gold/SST) or
Plasma (Purple/EDTA or Green/Lithium Heparin)
Serum (Gold/SST) or
Plasma (Purple/EDTA or Green/Lithium Heparin)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (Gold/SST) or
Plasma (Purple/EDTA or Green/Lithium Heparin)
Serum (Gold/SST) or
Plasma (Purple/EDTA or Green/Lithium Heparin)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1.0 mL
1.0 mL
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
1.0 mL
1.0 mL
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Special Requirement:
Protect samples from light.
Protect samples from light.
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Sample Stability:
Stable for 6 hours unseparated.
Once separated freeze within 1 hourStable for 6 hours unseparated.
Once separated freeze within 1 hour -
Transport Requirements:
Ambient temperature.
Ambient temperature.
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Add On Test:
No
No
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Quality Assurance:
NEQAS
NEQAS
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Reference Ranges:
Age (years)
Vitamin E (μmol/L)
0 to <1
5 – 50
1 to <19
14.5 – 33
Adult
12 - 42
Age (years)
Vitamin E/cholesterol ratio
0 to <19
3.7 – 6.7
Adult
3.5 –...
Read MoreAge (years)
Vitamin E (μmol/L)
0 to <1
5 – 50
1 to <19
14.5 – 33
Adult
12 - 42
Age (years)
Vitamin E/cholesterol ratio
0 to <19
3.7 – 6.7
Adult
3.5 – 9.5
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Other Info:
Assay performed by HPLC with UV detection
Assay performed by HPLC with UV detection
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
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Routine Email:
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Specialist Test:
Yes
Yes