Pathology | Eastern Health

Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Vitamin C
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
5th August 2026	Collection & Request Instructions	Use a water-ice slurry to pre-cool the collection tube, then to transport to laboratory. Wrap specimen in foil immediately to protect from light. Transport to laboratory immediately, in water-ice slurry - do not use pneumatic tube.	Use a water-ice slurry to pre-cool the collection tube, then to transport to laboratory within 20 minutes. Wrap specimen in foil immediately to protect from light. Transport to laboratory immediately, in water-ice slurry - do not use pneumatic tube.
5th August 2026	Collection & Request Instructions	Wrap specimen in foil to protect from light	Use a water-ice slurry to pre-cool the collection tube, then to transport to laboratory. Wrap specimen in foil immediately to protect from light. Transport to laboratory immediately, in water-ice slurry - do not use pneumatic tube.
	Processing Instructions	Spin, separate, wrap in foil and freeze ASAP. Transport frozen.	Reject if not sent to lab in water-ice bath. Reject if not wrapped in foil. Centrifuge at 4 degrees. Freeze in - 70 degree Freezer. Transport frozen.

Vitamin C

Ordering information:

Vitamin C levels in plasma are depleted rapidly, and rarely, if ever reflect tissue stores. Tissue vitamin C assays are unreliable, and not offered in Australia.

The most common cause for a low vitamin C result is preanalytical malfeasance. True Vitmain C deficiency is rare. Please pay particular attention to collection instructions: if not followed, sample will be rejected.

Alternate names:

Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid

Laboratory:

Referred Test

Test Code:

VITC

Specimen types:

Plasma

Container types:

Lithium heparin no gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport ON ICE IMMEDIATELY to lab

Use a water-ice slurry to pre-cool the collection tube, then to transport to laboratory within 20 minutes.

Wrap specimen in foil immediately to protect from light.

Transport to laboratory immediately, in water-ice slurry - do not use pneumatic tube.

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

1 mL

Notes:

Consult dietitian before requesting vitamin assays on inpatients.

Specimens for vitamin assays must be taken before dietary changes are implemented

Frequency:

Weekly

Laboratory Use Only

Storage Instructions:

Reject if not sent to lab in water-ice bath. Reject if not wrapped in foil.

Centrifuge at 4 degrees. Freeze in - 70 degree Freezer.

Transport frozen.

External Laboratory:

Alfred Hospital

External Laboratory details...