nutritional disorders
Vitamin E Deficiency
Diagnosis ofVitamin EDeficiency
Low alpha-tocopherol level or low ratio of serum alpha-tocopherol to serum lipids Without a history of inadequate intake or a predisposing condition,vitamin Edeficiency is unlikely. Confirmation usually requires measuring the vitamin level. Measuring red blood cell hemolysis in response to peroxide can suggest the diagnosis but is nonspecific. Hemolysis increases asvitamin Edeficiency impairs red blood cell stability. Measuring the serum alpha-tocopherol level is the most direct method of diagnosis. In adults,vitamin Edeficiency is suggested if the alpha-tocopherol level is<5 mcg/mL (<11.6 mcmol/L). Because abnormal lipid levels can affectvitamin Estatus, a low ratio of serum alpha-tocopherol to lipids (<0.8 mg/g total lipid) is the most accurate indicator in adults with hyperlipidemia. In children and adults with abetalipoproteinemia, serum alpha-tocopherol levels are usually undetectable. 