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Vitamin C Level

Vitamin C, Plasma, Ascorbic Acid, Plasma

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB874, Beaker: XVITC, Warde: VITC

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• The patient should be fasting overnight (12-14 hours) prior to specimen collection. For infants, collect specimen prior to next feeding. Water can be taken as needed.
• Refrain from taking vitamin C for 24 hours prior to collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Dark Green-top Lithium.

• Protect specimen from light.
• Place specimen on ice after draw.
• Specimen must be processed within 2 hours of collection.
• Separate samples must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Protect specimen from light. Centrifuge specimen immediately. Transfer plasma or serum to an amber plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below). 

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL light-protected plasma or serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Specimens not protected from light.
• Not frozen
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Protect specimen from light. Centrifuge specimen immediately. Transfer plasma to an amber plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Transport: 2.0 mL light-protected plasma or serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.0 mL) 

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Protect specimen from light. Centrifuge specimen immediately. Transfer plasma to an amber plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Transport: 2.0 mL light-protected plasma or serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.0 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 5 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Warde Medical Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 1-4 days.

Reference Range

2-19 mg/L.

Test Methodology

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Vitamin C facilitates the absorption of dietary iron and is involved in a number of other metabolic pathways.

CPT Codes

82180
LOINC:  1903-4

Contacts

Last Updated

7/21/2024