Test Overview
Clinical Utility
Beta Carotene, a fat soluble nutrient, is a precursor to vitamin A. Deficiencies may lead to vitamin A deficiency. Excessive vitamin A intake may lead to headaches, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea, skin changes, and potential birth defects.
Method
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Result Included
Carotene
Aliases/Synonyms
Beta-Carotene
Specimen
Specimen Type
SerumContainers
Collection Containers
Gold top (clot activator & gel)
Volume
Sample Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL
Patient Preparation
Overnight fast is required. Avoid vitamin supplementation for 24 hours prior to collection.
Collection & Handling
Handling Information
Separate from cells as soon as possible after clotting.
Store and submit specimen protected from light in an amber vial.
Store and send frozen.
Additional Information
Store and send frozen.
Stability
| Ambient | Refrigerated | Frozen |
|---|---|---|
| 72 hours | 7 days | 30 days |
Rejection Criteria
| Criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Plasma; Room Temperature or Not Protected from light |
Performance & Interpretation
Turnaround Time
7 days
Results
Name
Units
Reference Range
Conversion
-
Carotenemcg/dL0 - 8 months: Not established
9 months - 6 years: 5 - 80
7 - 17 years: 9 - 190
Males ≥ 18 years: 4 - 51
Females ≥ 18 years: 6 - 77
Comment
Vitamin supplementation within 24 hours prior to blood
draw may affect the accuracy of results.
Referral Location
Out-of-Country
Interface & Setup
HL7 Interface Codes
| Order Code | Result Name | Result Codes | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROQST S | CAROTENE | 64795 | mcg/dL |
Test Version
Last Updated
2023-02-10