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Vitamin E
Also known as : [alpha-Tocopherol],[Tocopherol]

Plasma/Serum
Test performed by: LabPLUS High Performance Liquid Chromatography


This test is currently restricted and only available for patients <16. Any other clinically urgent request should be referred to a Chemical Pathologist.

Specimen Collection

  • Specimens no longer need protecting from the light.

  • Can be measured simultaneously with Vitamin A on the same specimen.

  • Plasma collected in EDTA, oxalate or citrate is unsuitable.

  • SST/PST tubes are acceptable, but non-gel tube serum is preferred.


    • Heparin

    4 mL Heparin Blood (Preferred)

    Plain

    4 mL Plain Blood

    Microsample

    1 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood
    Reference Intervals

    Units: umol/L

    Reference range

    12-46

    Uncertainty of Measurement: 12%



    Turnaround Time:

    Performed Weekly.


    Assay Method

    Principle : High performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA)


    Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

    Vitamin E is widely distributed in food; a deficiency state due purely to inadequate diet has never been recognised in otherwise healthy adults or children.

    Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency:

    Neurological : include ataxia, visual impairment and neuropathy.

    Haematological: Acanthocytes, haemolytic anemia.

    Causes of vitamin E deficiency

    Newborn (especially premature) infants may be deficient in vitamin E; this may be associated with haemolytic anaemia.

    Fat malabsorption may cause a deficiency of this fat soluble vitamin, and may be sufficient to cause neurological symptoms.

    Patients with abetalipoproteinemia (very low or absent VLDL and LDL) are unable to transport vitamin E to the brain and other tissues, and have features of vitamin E deficiency.

    If the fat malabsorption is due to cholestasis, then the cholestasis-associated hyperlipidaemia may mask a deficiency of fat soluble vitamins.


    Contact Information

    The chemical pathology team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

    Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

    After-hours: contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .



    Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories

    Aliquot sample

    Freeze and transport at -20C

    Samples are stable for at least two weeks at -20 degrees.



    Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026