Background: Serum carotenoids consist of a variety of different
compounds. Xanthoderma may result from an increased concentration of any of the
carotenoids.
Method and results: High-performance liquid chromatography of serum
carotenoids shows that a normal chromatogram contains mainly β-carotene, lutein and
lycopene. Serum α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin
were found to be increased in the investigation of hypercarotenaemia.
Conclusion: Patients presenting with possible xanthoderma should have a
dietary history taken and serum sent for carotenoid analysis.
