Fat Soluble Vitamins Profile Blood

Fat-soluble vitamins profile test is used to assess the overall nutrient processing and dietary insufficiencies. Fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, beta-carotene and coenzyme Q10 levels are measured in the blood to assess the status of these antioxidants in the body.

What are Fat-soluble vitamins?

Fat-soluble vitamins are not soluble in the water and dissolved easily into the blood. Fat-soluble vitamins are highly available in rich fat foods. fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, K, beta-carotene, and coenzyme Q10.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is also called as retinol. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient required for the body. It helps in vision, growth, and integrity of the skin, in the formation of the bones, immune function, development of the embryo, cell division, reproduction, etc. It is available through many foods such as carrot, green leafy vegetables, cantaloupe, fruits, dairy products, fish, liver, chicken, eggs, whole milk, fortified milk, whole milk, etc. Vitamin A can also be taken as oral supplements. Liver and fat tissues stores vitamin A in the body.
• Vitamin D: The main role of vitamin D is to regulate the levels of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in the body. Vitamin D helps in the growth of bones. Vitamin D deficiency makes the bones soft, malformed and unable to repair themselves leading to diseases like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. It also helps in regulating the immune system and also in the growth of many other tissues. The main sources of vitamin D are fishes like salmon, mackerel, cod liver oil, fortified milk, bread, eggs, and cereals.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin-E is a major antioxidant in the body and protects the body cells from oxidative damage. It also protects the body from environmental hazards and acts as an anti-cancer agent. It improves the sexual function and prevents heart disease. It helps in healing of wounds, scars and prevents Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin-E is naturally present in sunflower seeds, wheat germ, corn oil, almonds, peanuts, walnuts etc.
• Vitamin K: Vitamin-K plays an important role in bone health. Osteocalcin is the protein that circulates in the blood and responsible for binding of calcium ions to the matrix of the bone and makes bone stronger. It is an essential lipid-soluble vitamin which is naturally presented in many green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc. Fruits like avocados, kiwi, grapes also contain Vitamin-K.
• Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene gets converted to vitamin A in the human body. It acts as the precursor for vitamin A.The main sources of beta-carotene are carrots, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, apricots, winter squash, etc.
• Co-enzyme Q10: Co-enzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring nutrient in the body. It is also available through food. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and also helps in treating heart failure and other heart-related problems.

Why this test is performed?

This test may be recommended to you if you experience certain conditions like poor dietary intake, malnourished, frequent and recurring infections, impaired immune system, neurological diseases, impaired digestion, poor absorption, bone-related problems, vision problems, muscle aches, tiredness, weakness, poor appetite, etc.

Precautions:

Alcohol consumption prior to the test may lead to high levels of vitamin A in the body and interfere with the results. Some anti-seizure drugs such as phenytoin may interact with the vitamin D test results. Drugs containing estrogens may affect vitamin E test results. Drugs like warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin, etc, may change the levels of Vitamin K. Overdose of vitamin tablets also interferes with the test results.

Test parameters:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Beta-carotene and
• Co-enzyme Q10

The normal reference range may vary depending on your age, gender, health conditions, habits, etc.

If your test results are lower than the reference range then it may indicate that particular vitamin deficiency. If your test results are higher than the reference range, then it may indicate the vitamin overdose or toxicity.

If you get abnormal test results to consult your doctor for further diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend other tests depending on your test results.