Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Test Code
Clinical Significance
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) - Deficiency of vitamin E may cause extensive neuropathy in young children and, in addition, is suspect as a possible cause of motor and sensory neuropathy in older children and in adults. One likely cause of vitamin E deficiency is intestinal malabsorption, resulting from bowel disease, pancreatic disease, or chronic cholestasis. Other causes of malabsorption of vitamin E include celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Test Resources
Topic Brief
Laboratory Diagnosis of Peripheral NeuropathyTest Details
Methodology
Reference Range(s)
Alternative Name(s)
Preferred Specimen(s)
2 mL serum - protected from light
Alternative Specimen(s)
Foil wrapped transport tube protected from light
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL
Collection Instructions
Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes. Centrifuge to separate serum from the cells within 24 hours of collection and immediately pour serum into a plastic transport tube.
Transport Container
Amber transport tube
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: 28 days
Reject Criteria
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic sera • Received room temperature • Not light protected • Plasma • Serum unseparated from the clot • Serum in serum separator tube not separated from the gel
Setup Schedule
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days