Who actually needs a vitamin E test?

Mostly people with conditions that impair fat absorption, such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic or bowel disease or chronic cholestatic liver disease, and people with unexplained nerve symptoms. In countries with a reliable food supply, adult deficiency is uncommon and usually comes from fat malabsorption.

Yes. Quest requires overnight fasting for this test. Do not eat after dinner the night before (water is fine) and test in the morning.

What is the difference between alpha- and beta-gamma-tocopherol?

They are different forms of vitamin E. Alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form and the one used to judge vitamin E status; beta-gamma-tocopherol is reported alongside it.

Can I have too much vitamin E?

Eating vitamin E in food is not harmful, but high-dose supplements may increase the risk of bleeding, including bleeding in the brain. Talk to your clinician before taking high doses.

Why does the sample have to be protected from light?

Quest requires the serum to be protected from light, in an amber or foil-wrapped tube, and kept refrigerated; samples that are not are rejected. The Patient Service Center handles this; you do not need to do anything.

How fast will I get results?

Quest typically reports this test 3 to 5 days after the sample reaches the lab, depending on the testing site. Results appear in your private JustLabs dashboard.

Can I use my FSA or HSA, and does insurance cover it?

JustLabs is a cash-pay service: the test is $26, plus one flat $18 Lab & Physician Order Fee per order, and no insurance claim is filed. Lab tests are generally eligible for FSA and HSA funds, and JustLabs provides an itemized receipt you can submit, but check with your plan administrator to confirm.

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💊 Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin E (Tocopherol) Blood Test

Vitamin E

Measures vitamin E in your blood as alpha-tocopherol and beta-gamma-tocopherol. It is mainly used when fat malabsorption or nerve symptoms raise the question of deficiency, and to check levels in people taking high-dose supplements.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, supports the immune system and helps the body use vitamin K. It comes mostly from vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables, and adults need about 15 mg a day.

In countries with a reliable food supply, vitamin E deficiency in adults is uncommon and usually results from fat malabsorption. It is much more likely when fat absorption is impaired, for example with bowel disease, pancreatic disease, chronic cholestatic liver disease, celiac disease or cystic fibrosis. Over time, low vitamin E can affect the nerves: Quest notes it can cause neuropathy in young children and is a suspected cause of motor and sensory neuropathy in older children and adults.

This test reports two forms. Alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active form and the one clinicians use to judge vitamin E status; beta-gamma-tocopherol is reported separately. Too much matters as well as too little: high-dose vitamin E supplements may increase the risk of bleeding.

In people with high blood lipids, the ratio of vitamin E to total lipids is the more accurate measure, so your clinician may read the result alongside a lipid panel. JustLabs also offers vitamin A and vitamin D, two other fat-soluble vitamins often checked when malabsorption is suspected.

Price

$26

All-in

$44

incl. $18 lab & physician fee

Results

3-5 business days

Fasting

8+ hrs

What's Measured

Vitamin E, Alpha-Tocopherol

Vitamin E, Beta-Gamma-Tocopherol

What This Test Measures

Vitamin E in serum, reported as alpha-tocopherol and beta-gamma-tocopherol, measured by chromatography.

Who Should Consider This Test

People with conditions that reduce fat absorption, such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease or chronic cholestatic liver disease; people with unexplained nerve symptoms such as numbness, poor balance or coordination problems whose clinician wants vitamin E checked; and people taking high-dose vitamin E supplements who want to see where their level stands.

Health Insights

Conditions Screened

Vitamin E deficiencyFat malabsorptionVitamin E excess from supplements

Related Symptoms

Numbness or tinglingPoor balance or coordinationLoss of reflexesUnexplained nerve symptoms with a malabsorption condition

When to Get Tested

When fat malabsorption or nerve symptoms suggest a possible deficiency, to follow up a previous abnormal result, or to check your level after starting or stopping high-dose supplements, as advised by your clinician. Plan a morning appointment after an overnight fast.

Fasting Required

This test requires fasting for accurate results. Please follow these instructions:

Do not eat or drink anything except water for 8-12 hours before your blood draw.
Water is allowed and encouraged - stay hydrated!
Schedule your lab visit in the morning for convenience.
Continue taking any prescribed medications unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

How long to fast, and what breaks a fast →

Understanding Your Results

Your report shows alpha-tocopherol and beta-gamma-tocopherol with Quest's reference ranges printed on the report. A low alpha-tocopherol most often points to fat malabsorption, for example from bowel, pancreatic or liver disease, celiac disease or cystic fibrosis, rather than a poor diet, and can be associated with nerve symptoms over time. If your blood lipids are high, the vitamin E result is best interpreted relative to total lipids, so a clinician may read it alongside a lipid panel. A high result usually reflects supplement use; high-dose vitamin E may increase bleeding risk. Review your results with a clinician before starting or changing supplements.

What to Expect

After placing your order, we send it straight to Quest Diagnostics — there is no consent form to sign and no partner email to wait for. Your requisition is usually ready to download from your dashboard within about an hour, and you can book your blood draw at any Quest Diagnostics location.

The blood draw typically takes just a few minutes. Results are usually available within 3-5 business days and will appear in your secure JustLabs dashboard.

Our results include reference ranges and easy-to-understand indicators showing whether your values are within normal limits.

How much does the Vitamin E test cost?

The Vitamin E test costs $26 at JustLabs — $44 all-in, since the $18 lab & physician order fee is charged once per order, however many tests you add. The price is fixed before your blood draw; no insurance or doctor visit needed.