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For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Special Instructions
Patients must fast a minimum of eight hours. No foods containing vitamin A or carotene should be ingested in the previous 48 hours by patients older than six months. For those who are younger than six months, the period is 24 hours.
Expected Turnaround Time
4 - 6 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum; beta carotene protected from light
Volume
Two aliquots: 0.8 mL each
Minimum Volume
Two aliquots: 0.4 mL each (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Vitamin A can be shipped in red-top tube or gel-barrier tube; beta carotene should be shipped in amber plastic transport tube with amber top. (If amber tubes are unavailable, cover standard transport tubes completely, top and bottom, with aluminum foil. Identify specimens with the patient's name directly on the containers and on the outside of the aluminum foil. Secure with tape.) For amber plastic transport tube and amber-top, order LabCorp No. 23598.
Collection
Transfer specimens to separate amber plastic transport tubes. Beta carotene should be shipped in amber plastic transport tube with amber top.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature. Beta carotene should be light-protected.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Patient Preparation
Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection. For those who are younger than six months, draw prior to next feeding. Blood should be collected before breakfast in the morning and prior to any medication.
Causes for Rejection
Beta carotene specimen not protected from light; sample type other than serum received
Test Details
Use
A combination of a low serum carotene level and a low vitamin A suggests inadequate vitamin A nutrition.
Limitations
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Methodology
Vitamin A: Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS); Carotene: High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001750 | Vitamin A and Carotene | 001529 | Carotene, Beta | ug/dL | 2053-7 | |
| 001750 | Vitamin A and Carotene | 142004 | Vitamin A | ug/dL | 2923-1 |
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