Vitamin E Test

Vitamin E is a fat-soluable vitamin and antioxidant that has a wide spectrum of health uses. This blood test is used to determine vitamin E levels. Vitamin E is considered an antioxidant.

This blood test is used to evaluate vitamin E deficiency in neuromuscular disease in individuals with chronic cholestasis; evaluate patients on long-term parenteral nutrition; patients with malignancy or malabsorption (e.g., patients with cystic fibrosis, cases of intestinal bypass surgery); to investigate brown-bowel syndrome or those with gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease.

Deficient vitamin E levels can lead to:

• Hemolytic anemia
• A broad range of neurologic deficits including loss of proprioception and vibratory sensation
• Impaired immune system response

Vitamin E deficiency can be more prevalent in people who:

• Are premature infants and children with biliary atresia or cystic fibrosis
• Are gastrointestinal surgery patients
• Have fat malabsorption or fat metabolism disorders
• Have digestive disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease

Major sources of vitamin E include:

• Poultry
• Margarine
• Fish
• Meat
• Tofu
• Spinach
• Almonds
• Eggs
• Vegetable/plant oils
• Shrimp
• Avocados