Surreal illustration of Vitamin A analysis combining lab and field settings.

Decoding Vitamin A: Is Your Serum Retinol Measurement Accurate?

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into HPLC vs. ICHECK Fluoro® for Assessing Vitamin A Levels"

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a significant global health concern, impacting millions worldwide. It's a leading cause of preventable blindness and weakens immune function, especially in children and pregnant women. While interventions like food fortification and dietary improvements have lessened the burden, accurate assessment of vitamin A status is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Measuring serum retinol levels is a common method for assessing vitamin A status at a population level. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is often considered the gold standard for its precision. However, simpler and faster test kits like ICHECK Fluoro® are emerging as potential alternatives, particularly in resource-limited settings.

This article delves into a study comparing the ICHECK Fluoro® kit with HPLC for measuring serum retinol concentrations. We'll explore the methodology, results, and implications of this research, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in understanding vitamin A assessment.

HPLC vs. ICHECK Fluoro®: A Detailed Comparison

Surreal illustration of Vitamin A analysis combining lab and field settings.

The study, conducted in Morocco, involved analyzing serum samples from 89 participants using both HPLC and ICHECK Fluoro®. The HPLC method involved standard deproteinization and extraction phases to isolate and purify retinol. The ICHECK procedure was simpler, requiring direct injection of serum into reagent vials, followed by manual mixing and measurement using the ICHECK Fluoro® device.

Researchers took ICHECK readings immediately (ICHECK0min) and 15 minutes later (ICHECK15min) to assess the stability of retinol in the analyzing solution. The Bland and Altman approach, a statistical method for comparing two measurement techniques, was used to determine the agreement between HPLC and ICHECK.

HPLC: Considered the 'gold standard,' HPLC involves complex sample preparation to isolate and purify retinol. It is very accurate and precise.
ICHECK Fluoro®: This kit offers a rapid, user-friendly approach, requiring minimal training. This kit is very affordable and accessible.
Study Design: Serum samples were analyzed using both methods, and the results were compared to assess the agreement and identify potential biases.

The results revealed that while both methods showed good correlations, retinol concentrations decreased significantly over time in the ICHECK Fluoro® analyzing solution. Measurements taken immediately after separation (ICHECK0min) showed better agreement with HPLC than those taken after 15 minutes (ICHECK15min). This suggests that the ICHECK Fluoro® kit is most reliable when measurements are performed without significant delay.

The Verdict: Is ICHECK Fluoro® a Reliable Alternative?

The study concludes that ICHECK Fluoro® can offer a reliable means of assessing serum retinol, especially when measurements are performed promptly. However, the observed decrease in retinol concentration over time highlights the importance of minimizing delays during the analysis. While HPLC remains the gold standard for its accuracy, ICHECK Fluoro® presents a valuable, rapid alternative for field studies and resource-limited settings, provided that careful attention is paid to timing and potential degradation.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4314/ahs.v15i2.43, Alternate LINK

Title: Comparison Of A Fluorometric Assay Kit With High-Performance Liquid Chromatography For The Assessment Of Serum Retinol Concentration.

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: African Health Sciences

Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)

Authors: Ak Elom, Em Imane, B Kaoutar, Ek Khalid, Eh Asmaa, A Mehdi, Eh Noureddine, A Hassan

Published: 2015-05-28

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary method used to measure Vitamin A status, and what are its strengths?

The primary method for measuring Vitamin A status is assessing serum retinol levels. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is often considered the 'gold standard' for this measurement. HPLC's strength lies in its precision and accuracy, which stem from its complex sample preparation process, including deproteinization and extraction phases to isolate and purify retinol. This meticulous approach allows for highly reliable measurements of retinol concentrations.

What is ICHECK Fluoro®, and how does it differ from HPLC in the context of Vitamin A assessment?

ICHECK Fluoro® is a rapid, user-friendly kit designed for assessing serum retinol concentrations, offering an alternative to the more complex HPLC method. Unlike HPLC, which requires extensive sample preparation, ICHECK Fluoro® simplifies the process by allowing direct injection of serum into reagent vials. This kit's main advantages are its speed, ease of use, and affordability, making it particularly suitable for field studies and resource-limited settings. The key difference lies in the methodology: HPLC is a more precise, laboratory-based method, while ICHECK Fluoro® is a quicker, more accessible option.

What were the key findings of the study comparing ICHECK Fluoro® with HPLC for measuring serum retinol?

The study, conducted in Morocco, found that both HPLC and ICHECK Fluoro® showed good correlations in measuring serum retinol. However, a critical observation was that retinol concentrations decreased significantly over time in the ICHECK Fluoro® analyzing solution. Measurements taken immediately (ICHECK0min) after sample preparation showed better agreement with HPLC results than those taken after 15 minutes (ICHECK15min). This suggests that while ICHECK Fluoro® can be reliable, prompt measurement is crucial to ensure accurate results.

In what situations is ICHECK Fluoro® considered a valuable alternative to HPLC?

ICHECK Fluoro® is considered a valuable alternative to HPLC, particularly in field studies and resource-limited settings. Its simplicity and speed make it ideal for situations where rapid assessment of Vitamin A status is needed and access to sophisticated laboratory equipment is limited. The kit's affordability is another advantage, enabling broader population-level assessments. However, the study's findings underscore the importance of performing measurements quickly with ICHECK Fluoro® to maintain accuracy.

What are the implications of Vitamin A deficiency and why is accurate assessment crucial for public health strategies?

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a significant global health concern, leading to preventable blindness and weakened immune function, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. Accurate assessment of Vitamin A status is crucial because it informs the development and implementation of effective public health strategies. Knowing the prevalence and severity of VAD allows for targeted interventions such as food fortification, dietary improvements, and supplementation programs. Accurate methods like HPLC and, with careful timing, ICHECK Fluoro®, help healthcare professionals understand the true extent of VAD, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions to mitigate its impact and improve public health outcomes.