The Fat-Soluble Vitamin Profile includes tests for vitamins A (beta-carotene and retinol), D, E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol), and K1 and K2. It is an excellent asset for assessing the body's nutritional status.
Who should test for Fat-Soluble Vitamin Profile?
Those who have symptoms, signs, or laboratory findings that indicate a lack of some vitamins
- Disorders of the skin and mucous membranes, especially lesions in the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)
- Redness of the face
- Red or white pimples like those of acne
- Hair loss, alopecia, brittle hair, and nails
- Nervous system disorders (hallucinations, numbness, irritability, dementia, amnesia)
- Anemia, increased homocysteine
Those at risk for vitamin deficiency
- Gastrointestinal surgeries
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Alcoholism
- Malnutrition
- Unbalanced diet
- Extreme diets
- Pregnancy, lactation
- Intense physical exercise
Those who use systematic dietary supplements
More information
Vitamin A is a crucial ingredient. It is essential for good vision, mucosal and skin health, production of sperm and eggs, immune system function, growth, cell division, bone metabolism, antioxidant defense, and cancer prevention. Symptoms and signs of vitamin A deficiency include difficulty seeing, especially at night, bruising of the skin, acne and dry skin, decreased resistance to disease, and poor growth. Preformed vitamin A is found mainly in meat, eggs, and fish.
Beta-carotene is a fat-soluble micronutrient that is a precursor to vitamin A. Therefore, a deficiency or decrease in beta-carotene can lead to a vitamin A deficiency. Beta-carotene is the form of vitamin A derived from plant sources (green or orange vegetables and fruits). The body converts β-carotene to vitamin A if the thyroid gland functions normally and the patient does not have diabetes.
Vitamin D can be classified into two families, ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3), known collectively as calciferol. Cholecalciferol is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. The primary function of vitamin D in the body is related to the absorption, transport, storage, and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D plays a vital role in the function of the immune system and is essential for maintaining good health. An excellent source of vitamin D is sun exposure. Other sources of vitamin D include butter, eggs, milk, cod liver oil, and fish.
Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant for tissues, helping to neutralize free radicals and protect cells. It is mainly found in two forms: the most active alpha-tocopherol, which is found in the European diet, where the primary dietary sources are olive oil and sunflower oil, and gamma-tocopherol, which is the most common form in the American diet due to the higher intake of soybean oil and corn oil.
Vitamin K is crucial in synthesizing blood coagulation factors and bones, cartilage, and blood vessel proteins. The most important source of vitamin K is vitamin K1 (phylloquinone or phytomenadione), which comes from green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils, and vitamin K2 (menaquinone), which comes from the function of the intestinal microbiome. Synthetic vitamin K3 (menadione) has toxic effects.
