Beta Carotene Blood Test
This beta carotene blood test is used to determine if an individual has carotene (also known as beta carotene) deficiencies.
Description
Beta carotene is a fat-soluble nutrient found in certain foods. It breaks down to become Vitamin A in your body. Not consuming enough beta-carotene may lead to a vitamin A deficiency. Too much vitamin A can lead to loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea, headaches, skin changes, and potential birth defects.
Signs that you may be deficient in vitamin A include:
- Bones or teeth that do not develop correctly
- Failure to produce enough tears, resulting in dry or inflamed eyes
- Feeling more irritable
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Recurring infections
- Drying, scaling, and follicular thickening of the skin
- Night vision problems or night blindness
Vitamin A deficiency is more common in the following people:
- Have liver disorders
- That don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables
- Have undergone gastrointestinal surgery
- Have digestive disorders such as chronic diarrhea, Crohn’s or celiac disease
- Have cystic fibrosis
- Have a bile duct obstruction or giardiasis
- Have cirrhosis of the liver
