Beta Carotene

I had labs done back in July and was told to add 'greens, oranges and yellows' to my diet (my doc likes me to try getting what I need with food first).  My A's not fabulous but my carotene was getting a bit low, I had already been taking dry A every once in awhile, but I bumpted that up to a few times a week and I also added spinach, sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, carrots, egg yolks....and still my carotene levels dropped from July.

I went on Vitalady's site last night thinking she'd have some beta carotene for me to buy but nope, none, just A, well I already take a dry A and my doc says that you can get too much A and still have low carotene levels, so he just wants me to keep my A the way I've been doing it and to add carotene.  My question is, does anyone take Beta Carotene?  Where do you get it, just locally, or is there a 'special' one for us RNY'ers???

Any input would be appreciated,

Edie

Hummm...my labs don't show beta carotine, just Vitamin A. Beta-carotine is a precursor for Vit. A, and it takes about 14 units of BC to turn into ONE unit of retinol, the form of Vit. A we can actually USE. If you're taking dry A...what does the carotine do for you??? Ask your doc and LMK!!!