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Trusted to do over 100,000 tests per month.
Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test

 


VITAMIN A (RETINOL) BLOOD TEST

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£115.00
£115.00 - £115.00
£115.00
£115.00 - £115.00
1 biomarker
12 days
Instructions
FAQ

Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to impaired immune function and other health issues, while excessive intake can cause toxicity and adverse effects.

Simple and accurate blood test from a laboratory you can speak to.



STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR SAMPLE COLLECTION OPTION
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VITAMIN A (RETINOL) BLOOD TEST OVERVIEW

A vitamin A blood test measures the level of retinol (the active form of vitamin A) in the bloodstream.

Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, reproduction, and the maintenance of healthy skin and mucous membranes. This test is typically ordered when symptoms of deficiency or toxicity are suspected, due to symptoms being experienced.

Deficiency may present with night blindness, dry eyes, frequent infections, or skin issues, and is more common in individuals with malnutrition, fat malabsorption disorders, or liver disease.

Excessive levels, often from over-supplementation, can lead to symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, nausea, or even liver damage.

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VITAMIN A (RETINOL) BLOOD TEST

Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, reproduction, and cellular communication.

Deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to serious health issues, including night blindness, an increased risk of infections, and xerophthalmia, which can lead to blindness if untreated. Conversely, excess vitamin A can cause toxicity, leading to symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, liver damage, and even death in severe cases. 

Testing helps to diagnose both deficiency and toxicity, allowing for appropriate treatment.

1 BIOMARKER

  1. VITAMINS

    - Vitamin A (Retinol/Retinoic Acid)

  2. UPGRADE

    Need more biomarkers? Add this to the Essential All Systems Blood Test.

  1. TURNAROUND TIME

    We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.


    THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.


    We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and a very efficient laboratory processes, you will start receiving results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.


    Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 12 working days.

  1. WILL I HAVE A GENERAL EXPLANATION OF MY RESULTS?

    Yes, our doctors put a huge amount of effort into your online Health Dashboard, which will have explanations of what each biomarker is, the normal reference ranges and what it means if you are outside of them.


    This service is included in the price of all our tests.

  1. CAN I SEE A GP TO DISCUSS MY RESULTS?

    Yes, usually the same or next day.


    One Day Tests has a fantastic clinical team of consultants and GPs. Once you have your results you can book an online video consultation to discuss your results.


    Our clinical team consists of practicing NHS and private GPs, who work closely with our laboratory and can tell you what your blood test results mean for you. Having an integrated laboratory and GP services makes your health journey seamless and extremely efficient.


    This service is not included in the price of the test, it is charged separately, should you wish to book it.

DOCTOR'S COMMENTS

Hi, I am Dr. Adam Staten and here's my view on this test as a GP and Clinical Director at One Day Tests.

DR. ADAM STATEN - GP VIEW AND RED FLAG SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can include night blindness, dry eyes, frequent infections, dry skin, and keratinization (hardening) of epithelial tissues. Severe deficiency can lead to xerophthalmia, which can progress to corneal ulcers and blindness.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider and consider testing for vitamin A levels.

Red flag symptoms for the Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test

If you experience any persistent symptoms of any kind.

Your Results and Health Dashboard

The results of your Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test will be emailed to you as a secured PDF file, ready for your GP and will also be uploaded to our Health Dashboard area of the website. It’s a unique and powerful tool, powered by our in-house clinical analysis research, to match your biomarkers across test panels and symptoms, as well as provide clinical commentary on all individual biomarkers you tested for.

The health dashboard will also provide "panel level" commentary - a birds eye view of the biomarkers that were tested. This feature allows you to view your test results and clinical commentary, and compare them to previous results, giving you a clear understanding of how your health is progressing.

By using the Health Dashboard, you can identify changes in your biomarkers and make necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. This added value is immense, as it empowers you to monitor your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.

It's free and is available with all of our tests.

SAVE ON CONTINUOUS MONITORING WITH OUR SUBSCRIPTION PLAN

The best way to look after your health is to do so regularly. This is easy to do with our continual monitoring plans which give you a discount on future blood tests. You choose the frequency and we'll do the rest.

When you purchase a subscription, we will deliver your home test kits or allow you to book appointments in line with your chosen frequency. You will be able to track your biomarkers over time in our powerful Health Dashboard, where results will be automatically updated for you. There is a minimum of 3 tests with any subscription, after which you can pause/restart/cancel at any time.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Hi, I am Stefania Brown, I am the Laboratory Manager at One Day Tests and here are the lab's special requests for the Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

There are no special instructions for this test.

Clinic appointment - how to prepare for the Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

  • Read the instructions in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS section
  • Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.
  • Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!
  • That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit - how it works with the Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

  • Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.
  • Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.
  • Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.
  • Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.
  • Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

HOW OUR HOME KITS WORK

How the finger prick home blood test kit for Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test works - from Dr. Adam Staten

Follow our step by step instructions on how to take your sample quickly and easily using the blood sample collection finger prick test.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Hello! My name is Dr. Vinesh Mistry, I am part of the GP team here at One Day Tests and here is why you should trust us to test your blood.

QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS DIRECT FROM A LABORATORY.

We run our own regulated laboratories and our own accredited clinics. We manufacture our own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and our super-talented biomedical science team.

When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.

Finally, our customer services rock! You can ask the lab a question any time or you can speak to a real human. You can email us on hello@onedaytests.com or give us a call on 0127 309 2844.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hi, I am Lana Nela, Lead Nurse, and here is what we are frequently asked about this test.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test.

What happens if my test shows I have a vitamin A deficiency?

If a vitamin A deficiency is detected, treatment typically involves increasing dietary intake of vitamin A-rich foods such as liver, fish, dairy products, and colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. In severe cases, vitamin A supplements may be prescribed.

The dosage and duration of supplementation depend on the severity of the deficiency and the individual's specific needs.

Regular follow-up testing may be necessary to ensure that vitamin A levels return to and remain within a healthy range.

What are the risks of vitamin A toxicity?

Taking excessive amounts of vitamin A can be harmful and lead to toxicity.

Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and skin irritation. Chronic toxicity can result in more serious issues like liver damage, increased intracranial pressure, bone thinning, and even death in extreme cases.

It is important to follow recommended dietary guidelines and avoid high-dose supplements unless prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Testing can help monitor and prevent vitamin A toxicity, especially in individuals at risk.

WHY HAVE THE TEST?

Hi, I am Nader Eldarf, I am a Biomedical Scientist in our laboratory and here is why it's important to take this test.

  1. WHY HAVE THE VITAMIN A (RETINOL) BLOOD TEST?

    Vitamin A levels should be tested if an individual presents with symptoms suggestive of deficiency or toxicity.

    Symptoms of deficiency include night blindness, dry eyes, frequent infections, and skin issues. Symptoms of toxicity include headaches, dizziness, nausea, skin irritation, joint pain, and in severe cases, liver damage and intracranial pressure.

    Additionally, individuals taking high doses of vitamin A supplements or certain medications may require testing to ensure levels remain within a safe range.

IS THIS TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

Hi, I am Sandeep Patel, I am the Laboratory Director at One Day Tests. Here are the symptoms that you may wish to address with this test.

  1. IS THE VITAMIN A (RETINOL) BLOOD TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

    Certain people are at higher risk of vitamin A deficiency and may benefit from testing, including:

    If you have conditions affecting nutrient absorption, such as conditions like cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, and liver disease can impair the absorption and metabolism of vitamin A.

    If you have poor dietary intake, i.e. if you have limited access to vitamin A-rich foods, such as liver, fish, dairy products, and colorful fruits and vegetables, should consider testing.

  1. SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

    Headache and Lightheaded

WHY ARE BLOOD TESTS IMPORTANT?

Health monitoring is very important, you are in charge of your health - look after it.