Let’s explore “Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol — lab reference”

BCO1, also called BCMO1, helps convert beta-carotene from plant foods into retinal, a form used in vitamin A metabolism. Plant carotenoids and preformed vitamin A therefore enter the pathway at different points.

ESR1 encodes estrogen receptor alpha, which helps cells respond to estrogen. Receptor signaling is different from the amount of estrogen measured in blood.

FOLR1 encodes folate receptor alpha, which helps cells take up folate and has an important role in folate transport at the brain’s barriers. Blood folate and folate availability in the nervous system are not identical measurements.

Makes the methionine synthase enzyme, which uses vitamin B12 in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

TCN2 helps carry vitamin B12 in the body. A gene result alone cannot tell you your B12 status.

VDR encodes the vitamin D receptor, which helps regulate gene activity in response to active vitamin D. A receptor variant does not by itself mean receptors are absent or that the blood vitamin D level is low.

VKORC1 encodes vitamin K epoxide reductase, part of the vitamin K recycling system used in activating clotting proteins. It is not simply a vitamin K receptor.

ALPL encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme important to bone and tooth mineralization and vitamin B6 metabolism. Persistently low alkaline phosphatase can deserve a different evaluation from a general nutrient deficiency.

CCL3 encodes MIP-1 alpha, a chemokine involved in attracting and activating immune cells. It is related to CCL4, or MIP-1 beta, but the two genes and proteins are distinct.

GSTO2 encodes glutathione S-transferase omega 2, a redox enzyme with dehydroascorbate reductase activity that connects glutathione chemistry with vitamin C recycling. It is a separate gene from GSTO1.

IL15RA encodes the alpha receptor component for IL-15. It helps present IL-15 to responding immune cells, supporting communication that is important for particular lymphocyte populations.

IL2RA encodes the alpha chain of the interleukin-2 receptor, also called CD25. It is involved in immune activation and regulatory T-cell biology; a soluble receptor measurement is distinct from a DNA result.