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Ascorbic Acid
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Test code | ASCA |
| Performed by | Quest |
| Sendout? | Yes |
| Method | Capillary electrophoresis |
| Patient Preparation | An 8 hour fast before specimen collection is preferred. Patient should refrain from taking vitamin supplements 24 hours prior to collection. |
| Collection Instructions | Wrap the tube in aluminum foil to protect it from light. |
| Container type | Gold top |
| Amount to Collect | 4 mL blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Preferred volume | 2 mL serum |
| Min. Volume | 1 mL serum |
| Processing notes | Aliquot serum in dark pour-off vial. Freeze serum at -20C. Do not thaw frozen specimen. Order Quest # 19034P |
| Ref Lab Rejection Criteria | Received at room temperature or refrigerated |
| Units | mg/dL |
| Normal range | 0.20-1.90 mg/dL |
| Synonyms | Ascorbate; Vitamin C; Vit. C; Vit C |
| Stability | Frozen at -20C 10 days. |
| Turn around times | Set up 5x per week. Turnaround time: 3-5 days |
| Additional information | Clinical use: assessment of nutritional status. To convert mg/dL to µmol/L (SI units) multiply by 56.78. Vitamin C is an antioxidant involved in connective tissue metabolism, drug-metabolizing systems, and mixed-function oxidase systems to list a few. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy; manifestations include impaired formation of mature connective tissue, bleeding into the skin, weakness, fatigue, and depression. |
| CPT coding | 82180-90 |
| LOINC code | 1903-4 |
| Last Updated | 10/2/2010 11:51:21 AM |
| Entry Number | 77 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667