TEST ID VITC Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Plasma
Reporting Name
Ascorbic Acid, PSpecimen 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 |
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
0.4-2.0 mg/dL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysSpecimen Retention Time
2 weeksPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in RochesterCPT Code Information
82180
Useful For
Identifying vitamin C deficiency