Vitamin C (Blood)

Referring Laboratory

LabPLUS - Chromatography

Testing Laboratory

Canterbury Health Laboratories Christchurch Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

ASCG

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3231

Synonyms

Vitamin C, Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Heparin (Microtainer)
• Please refer to Additional Information below

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

Patient Specimen:
One 5 mL heparin (dark green tune), wrap in foil immediately to protect from light, place tube on ice, send to the lab within one hour of collection.

Specimen Services:
Spin and separate, freeze within 2 hrs of collection.
Protect from light once separated. Frozen plasma to be sent to CHL and remain frozen during transit (transport at -20°C).
Any queries please contact Section Leader/Technical Specialist SCP - Chromatography.

Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories:
Spin, separate, and freeze within 2 hours of collection. Protect from light once separated. The sample separation and subsequent freezing prior to sending to CHL is time critical. Transport at -20°C.

Turnaround Time:
Between 3 weeks and 4 weeks

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation:
To test for vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). As ascorbate is unstable, falsely low levels may be seen if samples do not reach the laboratory on ice, within two hours of sampling.

Reference interval is provided with report.

Contact Information