Investigation Name:Vitamin C

Alias or Abbreviation:Ascorbic Acid

Pathology Laboratory:Clinical Chemistry/ Biochemistry

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Lower Reference Range Limit:26 umol/L

Upper Reference Range Limit:85 umol/L

Units:umol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:2 mL

Expected Turnaround Time:14 working days from receipt

Test Code:AOT

Sample Type:

Complex Reference Range:Risk of symptomatic deficiency: <10 umol/L

Collection Conditions / Other Information:Rarely required - therapeutic trial with vitamin C.
Vitamin C is a negative acute phase reactant - CRP must be checked and if raised measurement of vitamin C is of no value.
MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DUTY BIOCHEMIST BEFORE COLLECTION.
If agreed, the duty biochemist will order special tubes containing 6% metaphosphoric acid (MPS) from referral laboratory (01709-424103 or 424241).
When special MPS tubes arrive, the duty biochemist will contact clinician so that the clinician may arrange sample collection.
Blood must be collected into a lithium heparin sample tube and HAND DELIVERED immediately to the laboratory with sample protected from light.
LAB INSTRUCTIONS:
Centrifuge sample immediately on receipt of sample.
Pipette 500 ul of plasma into pre-supplied special tubes containing 200uL of MPS preservative.
Mix well and freeze at -20 C (and where possible, please do in duplicate and store one aliquot). Keep sample protected from light.
Transport Frozen

Reference Laboratory Details:The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD. Telephone number 01709 424241/424103

Referred to Another Laboratory?Yes

Reference Lab Code:ROTFT

Contact Number:01902 307 999 Ext 88266