Vitamin C [929]

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

VITC

Alias/See Also

929

CPT Codes
82180

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube

Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is preferred. Refrain from eating fuits and from taking Vitamin C supplements 24 hours prior collection.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in sodium heparin (green-top) tube - protected from light

Instructions

Centrifuge within 1 hour of collection. Immediately separate serum from the cells into a clean, plastic transport tube. Freeze. Protect from light. If unable to centrifuge immediately, sample should be covered with aluminum foil immediately and placed on ice until serum can be separated from cells. Transport to the laboratory frozen.

Transport Container

Transport tube protected from light

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C): 8 hours
Frozen (-70°C): 35 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Not light protected • EDTA plasma • Lithium heparin plasma • Thawed samples • Lipemic • Hemolysis • Received room temperature • Received refrigerated

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 4-5 days

Reference Range

Result Name                Gender   Reference Range   Unit Of Measure
Vitamin C, LC/MS/MS   Female     0.3-2.7                      mg/dL
Vitamin C, LC/MS/MS    Male        0.2-2.1                       mg/dL

Clinical Significance

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.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Valencia
27027 Tourney Road
Valencia, CA 91355-5386

Last Updated: December 7, 2021

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.