Vitamin E – what do your numbers mean?
Have you had your Vitamin E level measured and are unsure what the numbers mean? Here's a clear explanation of the normal range, what high or low levels can indicate, and when it makes sense to get tested.
What is the normal range for Vitamin E?
What is the normal range for Vitamin E?
The normal range for Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in plasma varies depending on age and laboratory methods. For adults, the reference interval is typically between 12 and 42 µmol/L, while Unilabs in Denmark specifies an interval of 17-40 µmol/L. For children up to 12 years, the interval is 7-21 µmol/L, and for adolescents between 13 and 19 years, it is 14-23 µmol/L. For premature infants, the values are lower, typically between 2.3 and 11.6 µmol/L. Variations may occur depending on the laboratory's measurement methods and the patient's LDL cholesterol level, as Vitamin E is transported bound to LDL. Being close to the boundary values can indicate a need for further assessment of nutritional status or underlying health problems.
What does a low level mean?
A low level of Vitamin E can lead to neurological symptoms such as spino-cerebellar degeneration, progressive ataxia, and areflexia. It can also cause hemolytic anemia and edema, especially in premature infants and low-birth-weight children, as their fat tissue deposits are small. Common causes of low levels include prolonged and severe fat malabsorption, genetic disorders such as abetalipoproteinemia, and biliary atresia. Particularly vulnerable groups are individuals with chronic diseases that affect fat absorption, as well as premature infants. If you have a low level, you should consult a doctor to identify the cause and consider supplementation or treatment.
What does a high level mean?
A high level of Vitamin E is rarely toxic, even at doses up to 3,000 mg/day. However, very high levels can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and coagulation disorders. Common causes of elevated values include intake of large doses of Vitamin E supplements and hyperlipidemia with elevated LDL levels. If you experience symptoms such as bleeding tendencies or stomach problems, you should seek medical attention. It is also recommended to have LDL cholesterol measured simultaneously to interpret the results correctly. With persistently high levels, it may be necessary to adjust diet or supplements.
Get your Vitamin E level tested
At Celto, you can order a blood test for Vitamin E directly online – without a referral from your doctor and without long waiting times. We have over 34 sample collection sites at public hospitals throughout Denmark, and your samples are analyzed at the same accredited laboratories used by the rest of the healthcare system. You will receive your results directly on sundhed.dk, just like all other blood tests from the public system.
How it works
When you order a blood test from Celto, you choose which markers you want tested – no doctor's referral needed. After your purchase, you will receive an email with a link to our booking system, where you choose a time and location. The blood sample itself is taken by authorized healthcare personnel and typically only takes a few minutes.
Where you can get tested
Celto has over 34 sample collection sites at public hospitals and clinics throughout Denmark. You choose the location that suits you best among our partners, and there are typically available times within a few days. Find your nearest sample collection site →
How you get your answers
Your blood samples are analyzed at the same laboratories used by your own doctor and the rest of the healthcare system, with the exact same quality and the same tests. You will receive your results directly on sundhed.dk within a few business days, and Celto will also send an easy-to-understand overview of your values so you know what the numbers mean.