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Test Code LAB0211060 Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Plasma

Additional Codes

 

Mayo Test ID
VITC

 

Useful For

Identifying vitamin C deficiency

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics

Reporting Name

Ascorbic Acid, P

Specimen Type

Plasma Heparin


Shipping Instructions


Ship specimen frozen on dry ice in amber vial to protect from light.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Fasting overnight (12-14 hours) (infants-collect prior to next feeding). Water can be taken as needed.

Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin)

Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Immediately place specimen on wet ice and process within 4 hours of collection.

2. Centrifuge at 4° C, aliquot plasma into amber vial to protect from light.

3. Freeze plasma immediately, ideally at or below -60° C, protected from light.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma Heparin Frozen 14 days LIGHT PROTECTED

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

0.4-2.0 mg/dL

Interpretation

Values below 0.2 mg/dL indicate significant deficiency.

 

Values greater than or equal to 0.2 mg/dL and less than 0.4 mg/dL are consistent with a moderate risk of deficiency due to inadequate tissue stores.

 

Values of 0.4 to 2.0 mg/dL indicate adequate supply.

 

The actual level at which vitamin C is excessive has not been defined. Values above 3.0 mg/dL are suggestive of excess intake. Whether vitamin C in excess is indeed toxic continues to be uncertain. However, limited observations suggest that this condition may induce uricosuria and, in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, may induce increased red blood cell fragility.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 5 days

Specimen Retention Time

2 weeks

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82180

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VITC Ascorbic Acid, P 1903-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8312 Ascorbic Acid, P 1903-4