UCSF Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Lab Manual | Laboratory Test Database

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Tocopherols

Item

Value

Approval req'd?

Available Stat?

Test code

VITE

Performed by

Quest

Sendout?

Yes

Method

HPLC

Patient Preparation

An 8 hour fast before specimen collection is preferred.

Collection Instructions

Wrap collection tube in aluminum foil to protect from light.

Container type

Gold top

Amount to Collect

4 mL blood

Sample type

Serum

Preferred volume

2 mL serum

Min. Volume

0.6 mL serum

Processing notes

Freeze serum at -20C in dark pour-off vial. Order Quest # 5009N

Units

mg/L

Normal range

Age	alpha-tocopherol
Cord blood at term	1.8-5.8 mg/L
4-11 months	< 9.1 mg/L
1-2 years	2.9-16.6 mg/L
3-5 years	5.5-11.8 mg/L
6-8 years	4.6-14.8 mg/L
9-11 years	6.2-14.3 mg/L
12-17 years	3.7-12.4 mg/L
> 17 years	5.7-19.9 mg/L

Age	beta/gamma tocopherols
3-17 years	0.5-3.8 mg/L
> 17 years	< 4.4 mg/L

Synonyms

Vitamin E; Alpha Tocopherol

Turn around times

Test run Monday-Friday. Turnaround time: 2-4 days.

Additional information

To convert mg/L to µmol/L (SI units) multiply by 2.32.

This assay measures alpha- (the main source of activity) and combined beta- and gamma-tocopherols. The bioavailability of Vitamin E may be impaired in hyperlipidemic states, in which it may be useful to simultaneously measure Cholesterol, Total or Lipids, Total. The Vitamin E/lipid ratios calculated as (100 x Vitamin E [in mg/L])/(lipid [in mg/dL]) are normally > 3 mg/g for E/cholesterol or > 1 mg/g for E/total lipids.

CPT coding

84446-90

LOINC code

1823-4

Last Updated

10/2/2010 11:52:41 AM

Entry Number

930

If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667

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Tocopherols