Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Serum

Minimum volume required

500 μL serum

Special requirements

Protect from light.

Patient preparation

None

Sample viability

Turnaround time

21 days

Reference range

0 – 1 year: 11.5 – 24.4 µmol/L 2 – 6 years: 7.0 – 21.0 µmol/L 7 – 12 years: 10.0 – 21.0 µmol/L 13 – 19 years: 13.0 – 24.0 µmol/L Adults (>19 years): 9.5 – 41.5 µmol/L Vitamin E:cholesterol ratio: ≥2.22 µmol/mmol (Source: City Hospital, Birmingham)

Clinical guidance

Vitamin E is a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant, protecting against damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E is found in nut oils, sunflower seeds, whole grains, wheat germ and spinach. Vitamin E toxicity is very rare and is mainly associated with abuse of supplements. Severe deficiency, as may occur in persons with fat malabsorption or abetalipoproteinaemia, profoundly affects the central nervous system and can cause ataxia and peripheral neuropathy resembling Friedreich’s ataxia. Vitamin E circulates in blood predominantly with low density lipoproteins. As the concentrations of serum lipids increase, vitamin E partitions out of the cellular membrane compartment into circulating lipoproteins. In patients with chronic cholestatic disease and hypercholesterolaemia, vitamin E deficiency could be missed if the lipid concentration is not taken into account. Vitamin E:cholesterol ratio is therefore a more accurate assessment of vitamin E status in patients with dyslipidaemia.

Notes

Protect sample from light immediately after collection.