Additional Information:
UFHPL Epic Order Code: LAB671
Synonyms:
- Ascorbic Acid
- C, VItamin
CPT Code(s):
82180
Collection Procedure:
Collection: Collect blood by venipuncture into a green-top containing lithium heparin and mix immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing. Plasma must be separated from cells immediately after venipuncture and transferred to light-protected amber plastic tube. Separated plasma must be placed on dry ice for shipment within 4 hours of separation. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Specimen Requirements:
Specimen: Plasma, frozen and protected from light
Volume: 1 mL
Container: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube; amber plastic transport tube with amber-top.
Storage Instructions: Freeze immediately and protect from light.
Use:
Along with dietary history, evaluating serum ascorbic acid levels should be considered for patients with classic signs and symptoms of scurvy, as well as for those with common, nonspecific, chronic musculoskeletal complaints. Vitamin C deficiency is generally defined as plasma or serum concentrations less than 0.2 mg/dL, or the the level at which signs and symptoms of scurvy may appear. Serum ascorbic acid concentrations between 0.2 and 0.4 mg/dl are considered low
Methodology:
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Reported:
3 – 5 days