Vitamin A deficiency is a nutritional disorder that impairs vision, immune function, and growth. It is caused by inadequate dietary intake of retinol from animal sources or carotene from plant sources, or by conditions that impair fat absorption. The Vitamin A (Retinol) test is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly measures the active form of vitamin A in your blood.
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Vitamin A deficiency is caused by inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A-rich foods or by conditions that prevent your body from absorbing fats properly. Animal sources like liver, fish, eggs, and dairy provide retinol (the active form), while plant sources like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens provide beta-carotene that your body converts to vitamin A. People with digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or chronic diarrhea often develop vitamin A deficiency because they cannot absorb the fat-soluble vitamin properly, even with adequate dietary intake.
The Vitamin A (Retinol) test is the most important test for vitamin A deficiency because it directly measures retinol, the active form of vitamin A circulating in your bloodstream. This test provides the clearest picture of your current vitamin A status and can confirm whether your symptoms like night blindness, dry skin, or frequent infections are related to low vitamin A levels. The Carotene test is also valuable as a complementary test because it measures the precursor compounds from plant foods that your body converts to vitamin A, helping identify whether you are getting enough vitamin A from your diet overall.
You should get tested if you experience night blindness or difficulty seeing in dim light, develop persistent dry eyes or skin, suffer from frequent infections, or have a digestive condition that affects fat absorption. Testing is especially important if you follow a restricted diet with limited animal products and colorful vegetables, are pregnant or breastfeeding with increased vitamin A needs, or have chronic digestive issues like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or pancreatic disorders. Early detection through blood testing allows you to address the deficiency before it leads to serious complications like severe vision problems or weakened immunity.
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What this means
Your vitamin A levels are below the optimal range, which may explain symptoms like vision difficulties, dry skin, or fatigue. While this deficiency is typically not severe, addressing it can improve your eye health, skin quality, and immune function over time.
Recommended actions
Include more vitamin A-rich foods like liver, fish, eggs, and dairy products
Eat orange and dark green vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach with healthy fats
Consider a vitamin A supplement if dietary changes are difficult, but consult with a healthcare provider first
Retest in 8-12 weeks after making dietary changes to monitor improvement
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