Vitamin A Test Cost

Vitamin A test is a diagnostic test done to measure the amount of Vitamin A present in body tissues. A venous blood sample is collected from the patient in order to perform this test. Patients are required to visit a pathology lab or a lab technician may visit them at home to retrieve the blood sample.

Indications of undergoing Vitamin A test are mentioned below:

• Visual disturbances
• Dry and cracked skin
• Dryness of eyes
• Lowered immunity

Recurrence of these symptoms despite medical treatment is indicative of underlying vitamin A deficiency.

It is advisable to undergo the test only under the guidance of a physician or a nutrition expert. Patients may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test. In such cases, the test is usually conducted in the morning before patients have their breakfast. However, this restriction may not be applicable for all patients.

Factors like vitamin A supplements, metabolism enhancing drugs, active liver disorder, malabsorption disorders, will affect the test results. Therefore, patients are asked to provide a complete health history to their doctor before undergoing vitamin A test. Consumption of certain drugs and food is to be restricted prior to the test.

Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive may be advised to undergo Vitamin A test. Test results help in determining whether the woman needs Vitamin A supplements through the course of her pregnancy. Patients who have battled chronic intestinal disorders or inflammatory disorders for a long time may experience Vitamin A deficiency. In such cases too Vitamin A test becomes an important part of routine medical checkup.

It is important to note that Vitamin A test is not only performed in case of deficiency, but also to rule out hypervitaminosis. Excess quantities of Vitamin A in the body tissues will lead to discomfort. Blurry vision, hypersensitivity to light, pain in extremities are some symptoms of vitamin A toxicity. It is important to conduct blood tests for such patients immediately. Abnormally elevated levels of Vitamin A require immediate medical intervention. If this condition is ignored it could lead to further health complications.

Normal levels of Vitamin A in a healthy adult should be 15-60 mcg/dL.

It is as important to pay attention to elevated levels of Vitamin A, as is it is to take care of vitamin A deficiency. Abnormal elevation in levels of vitamin A may lead to Vitamin A toxicity which manifests itself in the form of stomach ache, nausea, swollen bones, blurry vision etc.

Immediate treatment is advised for deficiency as well as hypervitaminosis of Vitamin A. Blood tests to monitor levels of Vitamin A may be required in such patients at regular intervals.