Vitamin C-13314

Test info

  
Vitamin C
  
13314
  
LAB13314
  
VTC
  
Ascorbic acid
C, vitamin
  

Evaluation of vitamin C deficiency

Specimen

  
Lithium heparin (Li hep) plasma
  
  
1.0 mL
  
0.5 mL
  

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inverting 8 - 10 times to prevent clotting

Protect from light

  
  1. Spin immediately after sample collection
  2. Transfer plasma to an  Amber screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport tube/vial - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as Lithium heparin plasma
  3. Freeze within 4 hours of separation

 

  

Frozen (strict) - 14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x 1

Refrigerated - NO

Ambient - NO

  
  • Anticoagulants other than lithium heparin
  • Specimen not protected from light

Performance

  
LabCorp Burlington (001805): R-LC
  
Su - Fr
  
3 - 5 days
  

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)

Clinical and Interpretive info

  

0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL

  

Serum levels of vitamin C are an adequate measurement of clinical status. Vitamin C is a cofactor for protocollagen hydroxylase; it promotes the conversion of tropocollagen to collagen. Low values occur in scurvy, malabsorption, alcoholism, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, and renal failure. Smokers have lower levels than nonsmokers. Patients with scurvy have values <0.2 mg/dL.

Principal clinical findings in scurvy include bleeding gums, petechiae, follicular hyperkeratosis, perifollicular hemorrhages beginning on the lower thighs, muscle aches, easy fatiguability, and emotional changes.

Billing

  
82180
  
Result 1903-4

Tracking

  
04/11/2019
  
04/13/2020
  
12/21/2023