Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

New search...

Vitamin C

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

Wrap specimen in foil to protect from light

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:

Fortnightly

Reference Interval:

Vitamin C 23 – 85 umol/L

Source: Chromsystems kit insert (IM 65065 Vitamin C EN 07/2015 R1).

Vitamin C <11 umol/L . Severe vitamin C deficiency. These levels are typically associated with increased rates of scurvy.

Vitamin C levels 11 - 23 umol/L

Marginal vitamin C deficiency. Increased levels of Ischemic heart disease and mortality have been described in population based long term follow up studies. Lykkesfeldt J, Poulsen HE. Is vitamin C supplementation beneficial? Lessons learned from randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2010 May; 103(9):1251-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007114509993229.

Laboratory Use Only

Storage Instructions:

Spin, separate, wrap in foil and freeze ASAP.

Transport frozen.

External Laboratory:

Alfred Hospital

External Laboratory details...