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HelpTest Code LAB671 Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Plasma
Additional Codes
VITC
Secondary ID
42362Useful 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
Specimen Type
Plasma HeparinShipping 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 |
On-campus collections: Tube to 99 or deliver to University Extension Hospital Room EH318
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial (T192), Frozen.
Off-campus collections: Protect from light
Centrifuge and aliquot within 2 hours.
Specimen to be stored/transported Frozen
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.
Method Description
Samples are diluted and extracted online extraction by high-turbulence liquid chromatography, with detection by tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo Method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysSpecimen Retention Time
2 weeksPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
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 |