COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 182
Additional Resources:
● Video: Is Vitamin A the Missing Piece of the Puzzle for
Microcytic Anemia
Vitamin A
Vitamin A isn’t just one thing4it’s actually a group of related
compounds called retinoids. In the body, the main active forms
are retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid.
Vitamin A comes in two main forms:
● Animal foods like liver, eggs, and dairy provide preformed
vitamin A (Retinol), which your body can use right away.
● Plant foods, especially colorful fruits and vegetables, offer
provitamin A (like beta-carotene), which your body converts
into active vitamin A.
While both types are valuable, most people get the majority of
their vitamin A from animal-based sources.
When testing for vitamin A, labs usually measure retinol or retinyl
esters in the blood. This is most often done through a typical blood
draw, but there’s also the option to use a dried blood spot if
needed.
That said, it’s good to keep in mind that serum retinol levels don’t
always tell the full story. They can be influenced by things like
inflammation, liver health, or lipid levels. So, it’s important to look
at the results in context4alongside other indicators and your
patient’s overall health4to get an accurate read on their vitamin
A status.
When to use this test:
● If you suspect a deficiency or toxicity, especially when
experiencing symptoms like night blindness, dry eyes, or
frequent infections.
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