Vitamin C

Alphabetical Test listing

Vitamin C-13314

Test name:

Vitamin C

Test number:

13314

Excellian order number:

LAB13314

Abbreviation:

VTC

Alternate names:

Ascorbic acid
C, vitamin

Useful for:

Evaluation of vitamin C deficiency

Specimen type:

Lithium heparin (Li hep) plasma

Collection container:

Lt green plasma separator (PST)

Volume:

1.0 mL

Minimum volume:

0.5 mL

Collection instructions:

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

Protect from light

Processing instructions:

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

Transport container:

Amber screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport tube/vial - 4mL (LabCorp)

Transport and stability:

Frozen (strict) - 14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x 1

Refrigerated - NO

Ambient - NO

Reason for rejection:

Anticoagulants other than lithium heparin
Specimen not protected from light

Performing lab:

LabCorp Burlington (001805): R-LC

Days set up:

Su - Fr

TAT:

3 - 5 days

Method:

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

Reference ranges:

0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL

Clinical information:

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.

CPT codes:

82180

LOINC code:

Result 1903-4

Date created:

04/11/2019

Revised date:

04/13/2020

Review date:

12/21/2023