Vitamin A Report

Referral: ABC Clinic

Name: Sarah Mitchell

DOB: 01/01/2000

Collection Date: 01/01/2026

Received Date: 05/01/2026

Report Date: 08/01/2026

Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot

Analysis: LC-MS/MS

Measurement Unit: ng/mL

TEST0052

Status Reference: Low Suboptimal Optimal Elevated High

Vitamin A Level

Accredited By

520

OPTIMAL

ng/mL

Target: 325 – 780 ng/mL

(Based on your current level)

520

0 200 325 550 780 1,000 1,200

Optimal

Reference range: 325 – 780 ng/mL. Reference range is representative of a normal patient population.
Elevated: 780 – 1,000 ng/mL. High: >1,000 ng/mL.

Summary

Current Level

520 ng/mL

Optimal Range

325 – 780 ng/mL

Current Status

Optimal

Within desirable range

📅 Monitoring & Retesting

Low/Suboptimal: Retest in 3–4 months after starting supplementation.
Optimal: Retest in 6 months to ensure levels remain stable.
Elevated/High: Retest in 3 months after reducing intake.
Results reflect average levels over the previous 3–4 months.

📍 Recommended Retest: April – May 2026

Vitamin A Report

Referral: ABC Clinic

Name: Sarah Mitchell

DOB: 01/01/2000

Collection Date: 01/01/2026

Received Date: 05/01/2026

Report Date: 08/01/2026

Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot

Analysis: LC-MS/MS

Measurement Unit: ng/mL

TEST0052

Your Progress Over Time

Tracking your last 3 Vitamin A results | ▲ +335 ng/mL since first test

Test-by-Test Breakdown

TEST 1 — 10/03/2024

185

ng/mL

LOW

Deficient. Dietary improvement and possible supplementation recommended.

TEST 2 — 13/06/2024

310

ng/mL

SUBOPTIMAL

Improved (+125). Approaching sufficiency but not yet optimal.

TEST 3 — 01/10/2024

520

ng/mL

OPTIMAL

Improved (+210). Now within the optimal range.

Understanding Your Vitamin A Zones

LOW

Below 200

Deficient. Supplementation and dietary changes recommended.

SUBOPTIMAL

200 – 325

Below ideal. Increase intake of Vitamin A-rich foods.

OPTIMAL

325 – 780

Supports vision, immune function, and skin health. Maintain current approach.

ELEVATED

780 – 1,000

Above optimal. Monitor intake and consider adjustments.

HIGH

Above 1,000

Risk of hypervitaminosis A. Seek medical guidance.

Vitamin A Report

Referral: ABC Clinic

Name: Sarah Mitchell

DOB: 01/01/2000

Collection Date: 01/01/2026

Received Date: 05/01/2026

Report Date: 08/01/2026

Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot

Analysis: LC-MS/MS

Measurement Unit: ng/mL

TEST0052

What We Test & Why It Matters

● Vitamin A

The Vitamin A test measures retinol (preformed Vitamin A) in your blood using LC-MS/MS. Retinol is the most reliable marker of your Vitamin A status and reflects intake from diet and supplementation. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, skin health, and cellular growth. It plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissues, supporting reproductive health, and acting as a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin A exists in two dietary forms: preformed retinol (found in animal products such as liver, eggs, and dairy) and provitamin A carotenoids like beta-carotene (found in orange and dark green vegetables). The body converts carotenoids to retinol as needed, but conversion rates vary between individuals and depend on factors including genetics, gut health, and zinc status.

Optimal levels (30–70 µg/dL) are associated with healthy vision, strong immune defences, and reduced risk of infections. Retinol is stored in the liver and released into the bloodstream as needed, so blood levels reflect your body’s overall reserves rather than recent intake alone. Both deficiency and excess can have significant health consequences, making regular monitoring particularly valuable.

Why Optimal Vitamin A Levels Matter

👁️

Vision Health

Essential for night vision and retinal function

🛡️

Immune System

Supports mucosal barriers and immune cell function

🧴

Skin Health

Maintains epithelial tissue integrity and repair

🧬

Cell Growth

Regulates cell differentiation and development

🫀

Heart Health

Antioxidant properties support cardiovascular health

🦴

Bone Health

Supports osteoblast and osteoclast balance

🤰

Reproductive Health

Essential for fertility and fetal development

⚡

Antioxidant

Protects cells from oxidative damage

Common Causes of Low Vitamin A

Dietary Insufficiency

Limited intake of liver, dairy, eggs, and colourful vegetables (sweet potato, carrots, spinach) is the most common cause worldwide.

Fat Malabsorption

Conditions like coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or pancreatic insufficiency impair absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin.

Liver Disease

The liver stores 80–90% of the body’s Vitamin A. Liver conditions such as cirrhosis or fatty liver reduce storage capacity.

Zinc Deficiency

Zinc is required for Vitamin A transport and metabolism. Low zinc levels impair the release of Vitamin A from liver stores.

Vitamin A Report

Referral: ABC Clinic

Name: Sarah Mitchell

DOB: 01/01/2000

Collection Date: 01/01/2026

Received Date: 05/01/2026

Report Date: 08/01/2026

Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot

Analysis: LC-MS/MS

Measurement Unit: ng/mL

TEST0052

How To Improve Your Results

🥕

Dietary Sources

Eat liver (beef or chicken) once per week — it is the richest natural source of preformed Vitamin A (retinol).
Include orange and yellow vegetables (sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin) and dark leafy greens (spinach, kale) regularly. These are rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts to Vitamin A.
Include egg yolks, dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), and fortified cereals in your diet.
Note: beta-carotene absorption is enhanced by dietary fat — cook vegetables with a small amount of oil or butter.

Vitamin A Food Sources (per 100g serving, cooked)

Food Source	Vitamin A (µg RAE)	Vitamin A (IU)	Content	Notes
Beef Liver	9,442	31,714	High	Richest natural source
Sweet Potato (baked)	1,043	19,218	High	Best plant-based source
Carrots (cooked)	852	17,033	High	Beta-carotene rich
Spinach (cooked)	524	10,481	High	Also rich in iron
Kale (cooked)	450	8,854	High	Excellent leafy green
Butternut Squash	532	10,630	High	Beta-carotene rich
Egg Yolks (2 large)	140	520	Moderate	Preformed retinol
Cod Liver Oil (1 tbsp)	1,350	4,500	High	Also rich in Vitamin D
Mango	54	1,082	Moderate	Good tropical source
Red Bell Pepper	157	3,131	Moderate	Also rich in Vitamin C

* Values approximate. RAE = Retinol Activity Equivalents. 1 µg RAE = 3.33 IU. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
* High (>500 µg RAE) Moderate (100–500 µg RAE) Low (<100 µg RAE)

💡

Lifestyle Tips

Combine plant sources of Vitamin A (beta-carotene) with dietary fat for better absorption. Cooking vegetables also improves beta-carotene bioavailability.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it impairs Vitamin A metabolism and storage in the liver.
Smokers may have lower Vitamin A levels — maintaining adequate intake through diet is especially important.

💊

Supplementation

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A is 700–900 µg RAE (2,333–3,000 IU) for adults. Higher doses should only be taken under HCP guidance.
Preformed Vitamin A (retinol) supplements carry a risk of toxicity at high doses. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) is 3,000 µg RAE (10,000 IU) per day.
Beta-carotene supplements are a safer alternative as the body only converts what it needs, reducing toxicity risk.

Vitamin A Supplements (typical strengths)

Supplement Type	Strength (IU)	Form	Notes
Retinol (Vitamin A) Capsules	5,000	Preformed retinol	Standard dose, do not exceed UL
Beta-Carotene Capsules	7,500–15,000	Provitamin A	Safer, body converts as needed
Cod Liver Oil Capsules	1,250–2,500	Retinol + D3	Also provides Vitamin D & Omega-3
Multivitamin (with Vit A)	2,500–5,000	Mixed	Check label for Vitamin A content
Retinyl Palmitate Drops	5,000	Preformed retinol	Liquid form, easy dosing
Beta-Carotene + Zinc	10,000	Provitamin A + Zinc	Zinc supports Vitamin A metabolism

* Values approximate. 1 µg RAE = 3.33 IU retinol. Source: USDA, peer-reviewed literature.

Vitamin A Report

Referral: ABC Clinic

Name: Sarah Mitchell

DOB: 01/01/2000

Collection Date: 01/01/2026

Received Date: 05/01/2026

Report Date: 08/01/2026

Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot

Analysis: LC-MS/MS

Measurement Unit: ng/mL

TEST0052

Important Information

🔬

About Vitamin A Testing

METHODOLOGY

Our Vitamin A test measures retinol (preformed Vitamin A) from a dried blood spot (DBS) sample using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This gold-standard technique provides highly accurate and reproducible quantitation of serum retinol levels.
The assay has been clinically validated against established serum reference methods, demonstrating excellent correlation and diagnostic performance. The analytical method employs protein precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction, followed by chromatographic separation and detection by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).

📚

References & Quality Assurance

EVIDENCE BASE

Our laboratory participates in the RCPAQAP (Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs) external quality assurance scheme. RCPAQAP is a world leader in providing external quality assurance for pathology laboratories, operating across Australia and in over 135 countries. Participation ensures our results are regularly benchmarked against peer laboratories for accuracy, precision, and reliability — giving you confidence in every result.
WHO (2009). Global Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency in Populations at Risk 1995–2005. WHO Global Database on Vitamin A Deficiency. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Tanumihardjo, S. A., et al. (2016). Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND) — Vitamin A Review. The Journal of Nutrition, 146(9), 1816S–1848S.
Sommer, A., & Vyas, K. S. (2012). A Global Clinical View on Vitamin A and Carotenoids. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(5), 1204S–1206S.

⚠️

Disclaimer

IMPORTANT

This report is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The results and recommendations should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary based on dietary intake, genetics, medications, and other metabolic factors. Masdiag does not accept liability for any actions taken based on the information in this report. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplementation, or lifestyle.

Questions About Your Results?

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about your results, would like help interpreting your report, or need guidance on next steps, our team is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to assist you on your health journey.

📧 support@masdiag.com

We aim to respond within 1–2 business days.