Carotene, Blood (Referred Out) - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
Test ordering requirements
Patient must be collected at a Hospital Test Centre, if unable to meet collection requirements.
Ordering recommendation
Patient should fast for 12 hours and abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to collection.
Alias
- Beta carotene
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Serum
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Gold (gel)
- Alternative collection container: Red (non-gel) not preferred
Collection procedure
- Specimen for this test must be collected, processed, aliquotted into amber tube and frozen within 30 minutes of collection.
- Avoid hemolysis
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4.5 mL full collection tube
- Minimum volume: 1 mL serum
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Testing Information
Clinical interpretation
- Useful in confirming hypercarotinemia and detecting fat used in work up of malabsorptive disorders
Performance
Days/times performed
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- 7 day turnaround time by testing laboratory
Last Updated: February 26, 2026