Vitamins
Levels of vitamins thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) can be measured either by absolute concentration in the plasma or by a functional method. Functional measurement of a B vitamin is achieved by measuring the activation of a red cell enzyme that is dependent upon an adequate concentration of a particular vitamin for full activity. There is a different enzyme for each of the B1, B2 and B6 vitamins. The assay relies on normal metabolism of the vitamin to its native form and the presence of other non-vitamin cofactors.
Functional assessment of vitamin status is useful to monitor the progress of vitamin supplementation, while absolute values are useful for checking absorption.
PROFILES
Full Vitamin Profile
Retinol (A), total carotenes, ascorbic acid (C), a-Tocopherol (E) and functional thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine (B6) - see Functional B Vitamin profile for further details.
[Gold top tube (SST) - protected from light, green top heparin tube, vitamin containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and samples must reach the laboratory within 24 hours and the clotted tube should be protected from light]
£79.00
Fat-Soluble Vitamin Profile
Vitamins A, E and carotene in serum.
[Gold top tube (SST), vitamin containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and sample must be protected from light]
£46.00
Sample report - Fat soluble vitamins
Functional B Vitamin Profile
Thiamine (B1) - Erythrocyte transketolase activation, Riboflavin (B2) - Erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation and Pyridoxine (B6) - Erythrocyte glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activation.
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach the laboratory within 24 hours]
£46.00
Sample report - Functional B vitamins
Individual vitamins
Vitamin B1 (ETK Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£17.00
Vitamin B2 (EGR Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£17.00
Vitamin B6 (EGOT Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£17.00
Niacin (vitamin B3) status Red cell nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) ratio as a marker of niacin status.
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach the laboratory within 24 hours]
£44.00
Red cell pyruvate carboxylase activity is measured in patients’ samples before and after the addition of excess biotin. An activation index is then reported as a functional, intracellular test of biotin status (for furthe details please see the test datasheet below).
[Green top heparin tube]
£52.00
Serum Vitamin A (Retinol)
[Gold top tube (SST), vitamin A containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£17.00
Serum ß-Carotene
[Gold top tube (SST), carotene supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£17.00
Serum Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol) [see also tocopherol profile below]
[Gold top tube (SST), vitamin E containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£17.00
Serum ß-cryptoxanthin
[Gold top tube (SST), protect from light]
£19.00
Serum Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
[Gold top tube (SST), vitamin C containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing]
£17.00
A profile reporting both vitamin 25-hydroxy D3 (derived from sunlight and consumption of animal meat) and 25-hydroxy D2 (obtained from plants and nutritional supplements).
[Gold top tube (SST), sample must reach the laboratory within 24 hours of collection]
£40.00
Serum Vitamin E Profile (Tocopherol profile)
This profile includes alpha, gamma and delta tocopherol levels. Where as most attention has focused on the antioxidant activity of alpha-tocopherol, recent in vitro studies suggest a higher potency of mixed isomers in reducing ADP-induced platelet aggregation and also hydrogen peroxide induced lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes (red cell fragility).
[Gold top tube (SST), vitamin E containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£23.00
Lutein
There is increasing evidence for the important role of lutein in visual function. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of loss of vision in aging Western societies. The Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial of atrophic AMD has shown a 50% increase in macular pigment optical density in the treatment group with significant improvement in multiple measures of visual function.
[Gold top tube (SST), lutein containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£19.00
Lycopene
Lycopene, obtained mainly in the diet from tomatoe base products, is a potent antioxidant. Epidemiological and experimental studies have provided support for the protective role of raised serum levels of lycopene in reducing cancer risk, particularly prostate cancer.
[Gold top tube (SST), lycopene containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing and the blood sample must be protected from light]
£19.00
Coenzyme Q10 is synthesised naturally in humans and is also found in foods, such as vegetables and fish. It acts as a cofactor in the electron transfer pathway which produces energy (in the form of adenosine triphosphate - ATP) within the mitochondria of human cells. The energy is used for muscle contraction and other vital functions. It is also an antioxidant which may have a sparing effect on vitamins C and E in situations of oxidative stress.
Diminished concentrations of coenzyme Q10 have been reported with increasing age, on statin medication and in various disorders including cardiovascular disease and cancers.
[Gold top tube (SST), coenzyme Q10 containing supplements should not be taken for 24 hours before testing]
£23.00
Links to other Biolab tests:
Trace and toxic elements and related functional tests