COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 184
Range
Units
Conventional
30-100 ng/mL
Optimal / Functional
50-70 ng/mL
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that occurs in eight different
chemical forms: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol
and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocotrienol. Alpha-tocopherol is
the body’s preferred version of vitamin E and is the most
commonly found form in the blood and tissues.
This vitamin helps protect cells from oxidative damage. It also
supports immune function, reduces risk of blood clots, and
promotes nerve and muscle health.
Vitamin E is usually measured with a blood test that looks at levels
of alpha-tocopherol4the most active and well-known form of the
vitamin.
Depending on the test, it may assess serum, plasma, or red blood
cell (erythrocyte) levels. Serum levels tend to reflect recent dietary
intake and current vitamin E stores, while plasma or red blood cell
levels offer a better view of long-term vitamin E status.
In some cases, labs will adjust alpha-tocopherol levels based on
lipid levels in the blood. This helps provide a more accurate
picture, especially since vitamin E is fat-soluble and influenced by
overall lipid levels.
When to use this test:
● When there are symptoms of deficiency, malabsorption
issues, or when taking high doses of vitamin E supplements.
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