Vitamin A
Deficiency symptoms: A large number of physiological systems may be affected by Vitamin A deficiency. Poor epithelial regeneration can result in skin hyperkeratization, problems with the genitourinary reproductive system (reduced fertility) dysfunction within the gastroenterological/biliary system or the pulmonary system. Patients with Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and pancreatic disorders are particularly susceptible to Vitamin A deficiency due to malabsorption.
Vitamin A deficiency may result in night blindness and/or epithelial degeneration of the eye. The immune system may also be adversely affected, reducing white blood cell levels and impairing both cell-mediated and humoral defense systems.
Vitamin A is also essential for the developing skeletal system and deficiency can result in growth retardation or abnormal bone formation.
Vitamin A deficiency is most often associated with strict dietary restrictions and excess alcohol intake.
Repletion Information:
Most plant sources contain provitamin A carotenoids and rich sources include fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots and mango.
Vegetable sources include carrots, spinach, kale and green peas.
RDA’s for Vitamin A are listed in micrograms of Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) to account for the different biological activities of retinol (Vitamin A) and provitamin A carotenoids.
- For adult males the RDA is 3000 IU.
- The RDA for non-pregnant females is 1500 IU.
There is no RDA for provitamin a carotenoids.
ADEQUATE ZINC IS REQUIRED to synthesize retinol binding protein (RAP) which transports vitamin A. Therefore a deficiency in zinc limits the body’s ability to mobilize Vitamin A stores from the liver.
EXCESSIVE VITAMIN A INTAKE IS TOXIC AND MUST BE AVOIDED. Liver abnormalities, reduced bone density (osteoporosis) and central nervous system disorders may result from hypervitaminosis A. Early toxicity signs include peeling/itching skin, brittle nails, yellowish skin, alopecia (hair loss), and bone/joint pain. Provitamin A (beta carotene and mixed carotenoids) are much less toxic and not associated with the commonly noted side effects of excess Vitamin A intake.
Lab Results Explained and Tracked
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
What does it mean if your Vitamin A result is too low?
Deficiency symptoms: A large number of physiological systems may be affected by Vitamin A deficiency. Poor epithelial regeneration can result in skin hyperkeratization, problems with the genitourinary reproductive system (reduced fertility) dysfunction within the gastroenterological/biliary system or the pulmonary system. Patients with Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and pancreatic disorders are particularly susceptible to Vitamin A deficiency due to malabsorption.
Vitamin A deficiency may result in night blindness and/or epithelial degeneration of the eye. The immune system may also be adversely affected, reducing white blood cell levels and impairing both cell-mediated and humoral defense systems.
Vitamin A is also essential for the developing skeletal system and deficiency can result in growth retardation or abnormal bone formation.
Vitamin A deficiency is most often associated with strict dietary restrictions and excess alcohol intake.
Repletion Information:
Most plant sources contain provitamin A carotenoids and rich sources include fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots and mango.
Vegetable sources include carrots, spinach, kale and green peas.
RDA’s for Vitamin A are listed in micrograms of Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) to account for the different biological activities of retinol (Vitamin A) and provitamin A carotenoids.
- For adult males the RDA is 3000 IU.
- The RDA for non-pregnant females is 1500 IU.
There is no RDA for provitamin a carotenoids.
ADEQUATE ZINC IS REQUIRED to synthesize retinol binding protein (RAP) which transports vitamin A. Therefore a deficiency in zinc limits the body’s ability to mobilize Vitamin A stores from the liver.
EXCESSIVE VITAMIN A INTAKE IS TOXIC AND MUST BE AVOIDED. Liver abnormalities, reduced bone density (osteoporosis) and central nervous system disorders may result from hypervitaminosis A. Early toxicity signs include peeling/itching skin, brittle nails, yellowish skin, alopecia (hair loss), and bone/joint pain. Provitamin A (beta carotene and mixed carotenoids) are much less toxic and not associated with the commonly noted side effects of excess Vitamin A intake.
Article Review & Sources
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We're committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.