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Totally unable to convert beta-carotene?
My December 2021 blood beta carotene test result was 527 (reference 100-850), that's after abstaining from all carrots, squash and leafy greens for several months after a severe case of carotenemia. Since then, I've been eating mainly buckwheat, white rice and noodles, white meat and some beef and eggs, a bit of nuts and seeds, bananas.
My beta-carotene as of March 8th, 2022 is 562, so it's gone a bit higher, despite the fact I consume only trace amounts from the aforementioned diet.
Is it possible that my body simply refuses to convert any beta-carotene to retinol, so it just stays in my blood, making me feel like crap? I don't think I have a vitamin B12 deficiency, given the fact I eat meat on a regular basis (although not too much due to hemochromatosis issues).
I would think it's more likely your body is still dumping stored beta-carotene. Apparently beta-carotene can be stored in the liver (as well as vitamin A), in fat cells, in the skin (obviously in the case of carotenemia), and probably many other places in the body. If this is the case it may take years before you see blood levels going down. It takes time- you just have to keep at it and keep faith in what you are doing.
Thanks! I've lost some weight due to dietary restrictions, is it possible that the carotene that was stored in those fat cells is now being dump directly into the bloodstream?