Single-biomarker blood testVitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test
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Vitamin A (Retinol) Blood Test

£119 ✓ In Stock

What's covered in the price: Laboratory-supplied test kit with sample collection materials and prepaid return packaging. Results turnaround varies by test — see the estimated turnaround time shown above.
Results ready within 10 working days

Your sample goes to a UKAS accredited laboratory meeting ISO 15189 standards.

Date of birth required

After you receive your order confirmation email, please reply with your date of birth.

Blood sample
Clinic visit
(phlebotomy charges apply)
CQC registered Accredited UK labs ISO 15189

How it works

Your testing journey

From order to results in four simple steps. Full transparency on where each step happens and what it costs.

1
Medi Test Direct kit delivered by post

Receive your kit by post

Dispatched same working day if ordered before 3pm. Royal Mail Tracked delivery, typically 1–3 working days. 90% of kits arrive within 24 hours.

2
Clinic sample collection

Visit a partner clinic

Book a phlebotomy appointment at one of our 365+ UK partner clinics. Take your kit with you — the phlebotomist will collect your sample using the materials provided.

Phlebotomy fee applies (paid at clinic)
3
Venous blood draw at a clinic

Venous blood draw at a clinic

A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using the vacutainers provided in your kit. The appointment takes around 10 minutes.

4
Return sample by prepaid envelope

Return by prepaid envelope

Seal your sample in the biohazard bag provided and drop it in any Royal Mail postbox using the prepaid Tracked 24 envelope. Post Monday–Thursday for best results.

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for maintaining healthy vision, supporting immune function, promoting skin integrity, and enabling proper cell growth and differentiation. It plays a critical role in the visual cycle—helping your eyes adapt to low-light conditions—and supports the mucous membranes that act as barriers against infection. Vitamin A is also important for reproductive health and foetal development during pregnancy.

This test is valuable if you experience night blindness or difficulty seeing in dim light, frequent infections, dry or rough skin, slow wound healing, or have conditions affecting fat absorption such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, or pancreatic insufficiency. Those following very low-fat diets, people with liver disease, or individuals with limited dietary variety may also benefit from testing. Both deficiency and excess vitamin A can cause health problems, making accurate assessment important.

What's covered in the price: You receive a venous blood collection kit and professional laboratory analysis. Because this test requires a venous blood draw, you'll need to arrange collection with a qualified phlebotomist—either at a clinic near you or through your own arrangements. A phlebotomy fee may apply separately. Your results will be ready within 10 working days.

Venous Blood Collection Kit

This kit is sent to you and taken to your chosen clinic. The phlebotomist will collect your sample using the materials provided.

  1. 1Vacutainer blood collection tubes
  2. 2Needle and butterfly needle
  3. 3Tourniquet
  4. 4Alcohol swab
  5. 5Cotton wool and gauze
  6. 6Adhesive plaster
  7. 7Biohazard specimen bag
  8. 8Prepaid return envelope (Royal Mail Tracked 24)
  9. 9Laboratory request form
  10. 10Instructions for the phlebotomist
Fasting: You may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before this test for the most accurate results, as recent fatty meals can affect vitamin A levels. Water is permitted. Supplements: Stop taking vitamin A supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin A for at least 24 hours before your blood draw. Medications: Continue taking prescribed medications unless your doctor advises otherwise. Some medications can affect vitamin A levels—inform your healthcare provider of all medications you're taking.

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, immune function, reproduction, and cellular communication. It supports the health of your heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs. In the eye, retinol is converted to retinal, which is critical for low-light and colour vision. Deficiency can cause night blindness, dry eyes, increased susceptibility to infections, and skin problems. Severe deficiency can lead to complete blindness and is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness worldwide. Conversely, excess vitamin A (hypervitaminosis A) can cause toxicity with symptoms including headaches, nausea, skin changes, and in severe cases, liver damage. This is why testing is valuable—to identify both deficiency and excess. Good dietary sources include liver, fish oils, dairy products, and orange/yellow vegetables (as beta-carotene). Results outside the normal range may need a follow-up with your GP.

Medical Disclaimer

This test is for screening and information only — it is not a medical diagnosis or professional advice. Please have your results reviewed by a qualified doctor or healthcare provider who can explain what they mean for your personal health situation. If your results show anything outside the normal range, or if you're worried about your health, see your doctor as soon as you can. Don't change any medications or treatments based on these results alone — always talk to your healthcare provider first.

NO CLINICS, NO QUEUES, NO HASSLE

Four steps to clarity

Pick your panel 01

Pick your panel

Browse over 200 clinically designed test kits and choose the one that fits your goals.

Kit to your door 02

Kit to your door

Everything you need arrives in discreet packaging with step-by-step instructions inside.

Collect your sample 03

Collect your sample

Follow the simple instructions in your kit — whether it's a finger-prick at home or a venous draw at a partner clinic.

Insights delivered 04

Insights delivered

Clear, easy-to-understand results sent to you online with actionable health guidance.

Frequently asked questions

No. Vitamin levels are not significantly affected by recent food intake.

Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health. Both deficiency and excess can be harmful. Testing is useful if you take vitamin A supplements (excess is toxic) or have conditions affecting fat absorption.

Yes. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, vitamin A is fat-soluble and stored in the liver. Excess intake (particularly from supplements, not food) can cause toxicity including liver damage, headaches, and in pregnancy, birth defects. Testing confirms whether your level is in the safe range.

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