Vitamin C

Method

Spectrophotometric

Reference Range

Units: mg/dL

Female		Male
Age	Range	Age	Range
0-	0.46-1.49	0-	0.46-1.49

Effective date: 03/09/2010

Specimen Type: Blood
Collection: Preferred: 3 mL GREEN TOP tube. - Note time of collection.
Also acceptable: 3 mL blood in LAVENDER TOP, RED TOP, Sarstedt or SST or 5 mL blood in PEARL PPT tube
Note: Fasting is recommended.
Handling Instructions: The Laboratory MUST process the plasma from a LAVENDER TOP within 5 hours of blood collection.
The Laboratory MUST process the plasma or serum from a GREEN TOP, RED TOP or SST within 2 hours of blood collection.
Quantity: Requested: 1.5 mL plasma
Minimum: 0.8 mL plasma

Receiving Instructions: Centrifuge specimen, give "unopened" tube to Stat Lab with polyprop tube labeled QVITC. Stat Lab will make a filtrate & return both filtrate tube to be frozen at -20°C & original Lavender tube to SPS.
Note: The original tube received for VITC will always be returned to SPS to be used for further testing - if necessary. If not needed put in Clot Rack.
Note2: Exposure to air MUST be kept to minimum or VITC deteriorates

Outside Laboratories: if you are unable to transport the specimen to UW-MT or HMC Lab Medicine within 4 hours you can make the filtrate on site as follows: Centrifuge Lavender top Unopened. Open tube just before pipetting. Prepare filtrate by adding 50 mcL MPA/DTT precipitating agent to 500 mcL of plasma. Vortex for 30 seconds (timing critical) and store Frozen at -20°C
[The metaphosphoric acid/dithiothreitol (MPA/DTT) Precipitating Reagent is available from Stat Toxicology at HMC 206 744-3451. The reagent is stable six months if frozen. Once thawed and refrigerated, it is stable one week.]

Lab Department

Chemistry, Automated Panels(CHA)

Frequency

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Available STAT?

No

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Chemistry, Automated 206-520-4600 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420

General Information