Specimen Requirements

Title

Vitamin C

Specimen Requirement

Collect lithium heparin, centrifuge and transfer 1.0 mL plasma to an amber screw top plastic vial within 2 hours of collection, indicate sample type on tube and send on dry ice.

Protect from light. Critical frozen.

Patient Preparation:
Fast overnight and refrain from Vitamin C intake for 24 hours.

Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Stability

Room temp: 2 hours, Refrigerated: Unacceptable, Frozen: 5 days

Reference Range

The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.

Turnaround

1-4 days performed Monday-Friday

Clinical Use

Along with dietary history, evaluating serum ascorbic acid levels should be considered for patients with classic signs and symptoms of scurvy, as well as for those with common, nonspecific, chronic musculoskeletal complaints.

Test Code

VITCM