Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin A supports night vision, healthy skin and a working immune system. This blood test measures retinol, the main circulating form, to check for deficiency or for excess from high-dose supplements.
- DHA-licensed lab
- Includes Doctor Consultation
- Physician-reviewed
- Same Day Collection
13 to 14 days
Turnaround
Blood
Sample
What the Vitamin A (Retinol) test tells you
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin the body needs for several everyday jobs: it forms part of the light-sensitive pigment in the eye that lets you see in dim light, it keeps the skin and the linings of the eyes, airways and gut healthy, and it supports the immune system in fighting infection. It also plays a part in growth, reproduction and the development of a baby during pregnancy.
The body gets vitamin A in two forms. Ready-made retinol comes from animal foods such as liver, eggs, oily fish and dairy, while plants such as carrots, sweet potato and dark leafy greens supply carotenoids that the body converts into vitamin A. Because it dissolves in fat, it needs healthy digestion and fat absorption to be taken up, and most of it is stored in the liver. The liver releases it into the blood attached to a carrier protein, which depends on adequate protein and zinc to be made.
This test measures retinol in the blood. The level is held fairly steady while liver stores last, so a low result usually means stores are running down, often because of poor absorption, liver disease or a restricted diet. The opposite problem matters too: vitamin A builds up in the body, and long-term high-dose supplements or some skin medicines can push it too high. Inflammation, low protein and kidney disease can also shift the result, so it is always read alongside your symptoms, diet, medicines and other test results.
Ordered when deficiency is suspected, such as poor night vision, dry eyes or skin, frequent infections or a condition that affects fat absorption, and to check for excess in people taking high-dose supplements or vitamin A based medicines.
- Night vision and dry eyes
Difficulty seeing in dim light and persistent dry eyes are classic early signs of low vitamin A, and the test helps confirm or rule it out.
- Problems absorbing fat
Coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, pancreatic problems and weight-loss surgery can all reduce how much vitamin A is absorbed, even on a good diet.
- Checking for too much
Vitamin A is stored rather than flushed out, so long-term high-dose supplements or certain skin treatments can raise it to harmful levels.
- Restricted diets
Diets low in animal foods, fat or colourful vegetables, and some eating disorders, can leave vitamin A intake short over time.
Reasons your doctor may request the Vitamin A (Retinol) test
Your doctor may order this test for any of the reasons below. Some are routine checks, others follow specific symptoms or an earlier result.
Eye, skin & infection symptoms
- Poor vision in dim light or at night, or persistently dry, irritated eyes.
- Dry, rough or scaly skin without another clear explanation.
- Frequent or slow-to-clear infections being investigated.
Absorption problems & liver disease
- Conditions that affect fat absorption, such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.
- Previous weight-loss or bowel surgery.
- Liver disease, where both storage and release of vitamin A can be affected.
High-dose supplements & medicines
- Long-term use of high-dose vitamin A supplements, fish liver oils or vitamin A based skin medicines.
A result in the Normal band, 30 to 120 mcg/dL (1.1 to 4.2 µmol/L), means the amount of vitamin A circulating in your blood is usual, which generally reflects adequate liver stores. Ranges vary slightly between laboratories, so the range printed on your report takes precedence. A Borderline result, 20 to 29.9 mcg/dL, sits below the usual range but above the World Health Organization deficiency threshold, and can mean stores are starting to fall. A Low result, below 20 mcg/dL (0.70 µmol/L), indicates deficiency, and below 10 mcg/dL (0.35 µmol/L) it is considered severe. Common reasons are poor fat absorption from coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, pancreatic problems or previous surgery, liver disease, a restricted diet, or low protein or zinc, which the body needs to carry vitamin A in the blood. Inflammation and acute illness can lower the level temporarily, so a low figure during an infection may need repeating once you are well. A High result, above 120 mcg/dL, most often reflects high-dose supplements, fish liver oils or vitamin A based medicines taken over time, and occasionally reduced kidney function. Your doctor interprets the result with your symptoms, diet, medicines and other tests rather than on its own.
Medically reviewed by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy
Ranges are a guide: your physician interprets your result alongside your symptoms and history.
What a higher result can point to
- Long-term high-dose vitamin A supplements or multivitamins.
- Regular use of fish liver oils or frequent large portions of liver.
- Vitamin A based medicines, such as some acne and skin treatments.
- Reduced kidney function, which slows the clearance of vitamin A and its carrier protein.
What a lower result can point to
- A diet low in animal foods, dairy and colourful fruit and vegetables.
- Conditions that reduce fat absorption, such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.
- Weight-loss surgery or bowel surgery that bypasses part of the gut.
- Liver disease, which limits storage and release of vitamin A.
- Low protein or zinc levels, which reduce the carrier protein that moves vitamin A in the blood.
- Infection or inflammation, which lowers the level temporarily.
These are possibilities, not diagnoses. A single value outside the reference range is interpreted alongside your symptoms, history and other tests: your doctor decides what it means for you.
What this test cannot tell you
- Blood retinol stays fairly steady while liver stores last, so a normal result does not always show that stores are full, and a fall may only appear once they are low.
- Infection, inflammation and acute illness lower the level temporarily, which can make a result look low when stores are adequate.
- Low protein, low zinc and liver or kidney disease affect the carrier protein and can shift the result without reflecting intake alone.
- The result is one part of the picture and is interpreted with symptoms, diet, medicines and other tests.
Risks of the blood draw
- Mild bruising or brief soreness where the needle went in.
- Occasional lightheadedness, which settles after a few minutes of rest.
- Bleeding or infection at the site, which is rare with sterile single-use equipment.
- 1Vitamin A is needed for vision in dim light, healthy skin and linings, and immune defence.
- 2It is fat-soluble and stored in the liver, so absorption problems and liver disease both affect it.
- 3Low levels can follow poor fat absorption, restricted diets or liver disease.
- 4Too much is also harmful, usually from long-term high-dose supplements or some skin medicines.
- 5Infection and inflammation can lower the result temporarily.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Vitamin A (Retinol) test. Can't find what you're looking for?
Talk to our team→A normal vitamin A (retinol) level is generally 30 to 120 mcg/dL, or 1.1 to 4.2 µmol/L. A level below 20 mcg/dL (0.70 µmol/L) indicates deficiency, and below 10 mcg/dL (0.35 µmol/L) is considered severe. Ranges vary slightly between laboratories, so always read your result against the range printed on your report.
It measures retinol, the main form of vitamin A circulating in your blood. The result helps show whether you may be low in vitamin A, for example because of poor absorption or diet, or whether the level is raised, usually from high-dose supplements or certain medicines.
Early signs include difficulty seeing in dim light or at night and dry eyes. Dry, rough skin and more frequent infections can also occur. These symptoms have other causes too, so a blood test together with a doctor's assessment helps work out whether vitamin A is the reason.
Yes. Because vitamin A is stored in the body rather than flushed out, long-term high-dose supplements, fish liver oils or some skin medicines can raise it too high. Excess can cause headaches, nausea, skin and hair changes and liver problems, so it is worth testing if you take high doses regularly.
No. You do not need to fast for a vitamin A test on its own. If it is booked with other tests that need fasting, such as cholesterol or glucose, follow the fasting instruction for those.
Vitamin A is measured by a specialised method rather than on routine analysers, so results are usually ready within 13 to 14 days. You will receive your physician-reviewed report as soon as it is available.
Do not stop or start supplements just before the test unless your doctor has advised it. Instead, tell the team which supplements, multivitamins or fish liver oils you take and roughly when you last took them, so the result can be read in the right context.
Yes, the test can be done during pregnancy when your doctor requests it. Both too little and too much vitamin A matter in pregnancy, so any supplements should be discussed with your doctor rather than changed on your own.
Vitamin A is stored in the liver and carried in the blood by a protein that needs zinc to be made. Checking zinc and a liver function test can help explain a low result and guide what to do next.
Yes. Infection, inflammation and acute illness lower the level temporarily, and low protein or zinc can reduce the carrier protein. If your result is low while you are unwell, your doctor may suggest repeating the test once you have recovered.
Yes. A nurse can collect your blood sample at home anywhere in Dubai at a time that suits you, or you can visit the lab. The sample is a standard blood draw from the arm.
The vitamin A test is AED 250, including a physician-reviewed report, with results usually within 13 to 14 days. Home collection anywhere in Dubai is free when your order reaches AED 300 or includes a package; below that, a AED 100 home collection fee applies (AED 50 for a lab walk-in).