Carotene [Mass/volume] in Whole Blood
This test measures the amount of carotene in whole blood. Carotene is a pigment found in foods such as carrots, leafy greens, and other colorful fruits and vegetables.
["The result can help assess carotene levels, but diet, supplements, illness, and laboratory methods can affect interpretation."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 2052-9
- Short code
- CAROT
- Synonyms
- Carotene Bld-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Red-top serum separator tube (SST) or plasma separator tube (PST) with heparin; protect from light
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 60
- Ref high
- 200
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection
- CPT
- 82380
- SNOMED
- 8691008
- Specimen volume
- 3-5 mL whole blood (minimum 1 mL serum or plasma)
- Stability
- Stable for 4 hours at room temperature; 2 weeks at 2-8°C when protected from light; 1 year at -20°C when protected from light. Specimen must be wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent photodegradation.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
The test quantifies carotene circulating in whole blood. Carotene comes mainly from the diet and is associated with fat-soluble vitamin intake, although blood levels do not directly measure every aspect of nutrition.
Why the Test May Be Ordered
A clinician may order this test when nutritional status is unclear, particularly in a person with a limited or unusual diet, malabsorption concerns, or symptoms that could be related to nutritional deficiencies.
Factors That Affect the Result
Recent changes in fruit and vegetable intake, carotenoid supplements, fat intake, absorption, and illness can change blood carotene levels. Testing methods and sample handling may also affect results.
How to Prepare
Follow the laboratory’s preparation instructions. Ask whether you should continue supplements or maintain a consistent diet before the sample is collected, because these factors can influence the result.
Reference range
Adult: 60-200 µg/dL (0.6-2.0 mg/L); values vary by laboratory methodology and populationN/A
No fasting required. However, a fasting sample may be preferred to minimize lipemic interference. Patient should avoid excessive carrot, sweet potato, and leafy green vegetable intake for 24 hours prior to collection for accurate baseline measurement.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical significance: A low whole-blood carotene result may reflect low dietary intake or impaired absorption, while a high result may follow heavy supplement use or a recent increase in carotenoid-rich foods. Results should be interpreted with symptoms, diet, medical history, and other nutritional tests by a qualified clinician.
Short name
Whole Blood Carotene
Frequently asked questions
What is carotene?
Is fasting required for this test?
Does a low result always indicate a vitamin A deficiency?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy