Vitamin C

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB671
  • Soft Test Code:
  • VITAC
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 929
Alternate Names
  • Ascorbic Acid
Clinical Significance

Vitamin C is an antioxidant involved in connective tissue metabolism, drug-metabolizing systems, and mixed-function oxidase systems to list a few. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy; manifestations include impaired formation of mature connective tissue, bleeding into the skin, weakness, fatigue, and depression.


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Client Notes

 Due to transport/storage temperature, specimen must be collected at a Parkview Hospital Lab


Patient Preparation

Overnight Fasting is preferred.

Patient should refrain from taking Vitamin C supplements or fruits 24 hours before collection.


Specimen Requirements:

-OR-

2.0 mL Serum from a Red Top Tube in an Amber Transport Tube
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL Serum*

* This volume does not allow for repeat testing

Processing Instructions:

Centrifuge and separate from cells within 1 hour of collection placing in Amber transport tube

Protect from Light

Freeze

Note: If unable to be centrifuged immediately after collection, sample should be covered with aluminum foil immediately and placed on ice sent directly to the performing laboratory until serum can be separated from cells


Rejection Criteria:

Received at Ambient Temperature

Received Refrigerated

Lipemic specimen

Hemolyzed

Received thawed

Not protected from light

Samples not received at -70 degrees

EDTA plasma

Lithium heparin plasma


Transport and Storage:
  • Ambient (18-24°C): Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated (2-8°C): Unacceptable
  • Frozen (-20° C or colder): 8 Hours
  • Ultra Frozen (-70° C or colder or by dry ice): 35 Days

    Transport

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Male: 0.3 - 2.7 mg/dL
Female: 0.2 - 2.1 mg/dL


Methodology:
  • Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry
Clinical Significance

Vitamin C is an antioxidant involved in connective tissue metabolism, drug-metabolizing systems, and mixed-function oxidase systems to list a few. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy; manifestations include impaired formation of mature connective tissue, bleeding into the skin, weakness, fatigue, and depression.


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

3 to 4 days


Coding & Compliance

CDM

01422842


CPT Coding

82180