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, samples must reach the laboratory within 24 hours and the clotted tube should be protected from light]
£72.00
Fat-Soluble Vitamin Profile
Vitamins A, E and carotene in serum.
[Gold top tube (SST), protect sample from light]
£42.00
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]
£42.00
Sample report - Functional B vitamins
Individual vitamins
Vitamin B1 (ETK Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£16.00
Vitamin B2 (EGR Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£16.00
Vitamin B6 (EGOT Activation)
[Green top heparin tube, sample must reach laboratory within 24 hours]
£16.00
Vitamin B3 (Niacin status)
Niacin (vitamin B3) statusRed 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]
£40.00
Biotin (WBC pyruvate carboxylase activation)
Mitochondrial carboxylases are sensitive to reductions in biotin and this forms the basis for a functional test of biotin status (activation of pyruvate carboxylase in peripheral lymphocytes). A second test looking at hydroxyisovaleric acid levels is used to confirm the first (an increased 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in the presence of a normal 2-hydroxyisovaleric acid is consistent with biotin deficiency).
[Gold top tube (SST) and Green top heparin tube]
£47.00
Serum Vitamin A (Retinol)
[Gold top tube (SST), protect from light]
£15.00
Serum ß-Carotene
[Gold top tube (SST), protect from light]
£15.00
Serum Vitamin E (a-tocopherol)
[Gold top tube (SST), protect from light]
£15.00
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), protect from light]
£21.00
Serum Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
[Gold top tube (SST)]
£15.00
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), protect from light]
£17.00
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), protect from light]
£16.00
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)]
£21.00
Links to other Biolab tests:
Trace and toxic elements and related functional tests