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.

4 mL Plain Blood (Preferred)

4 mL Heparin Blood

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

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

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

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories

Aliquot sample

Freeze and transport at -20C

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025