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Test Code VITC Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Plasma

Important Note

Immediately place specimen on wet ice and process within 4 hours of collection.

Additional Codes

Epic Ordering Code LAB3041508 
NBS code LBC02761
Service code 36690 

Reporting Name

Ascorbic Acid, P

Specimen Type

Plasma Heparin


Shipping Instructions


Ship specimen frozen on dry ice in amber vial to protect from light.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation:

Fasting: 12 hours, required; infants should have specimen collected before next feeding

Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin) (plasma gel/PST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL Plasma

Collection Instructions:

1. Immediately place specimen on wet ice and process within 2 hours of collection.

2. Centrifuge at 4° C, aliquot plasma into amber vial to protect from light.

3. Freeze plasma immediately, ideally at or below -60° C, protected from light.


National University Hospital-Singapore Note:

NUH Outreach Laboratories:

Specimen Requirements

Submit the following immediately:

Container: Dark Green Top

Processing Requirements

Centrifuge cold and aliquot plasma into amber vial. Freeze immediately and protect from light.

Specimen type: Plasma

Volume: 1 mL

Storage/transport requirements: Frozen

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send General Request (T239) with the specimen.

Specimen Minimum Volume

Plasma: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma Heparin Frozen 14 days LIGHT PROTECTED

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
Not light protected Reject

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 5 days
National University Hospital-Singapore Note:

Please note that this is a referral test requiring transport to the external testing facility and an additional 3-5 days is required.

Reference Values

0.4-2.0 mg/dL

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Identifying vitamin C deficiency

CPT Code Information

82180

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VITC Ascorbic Acid, P 1903-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8312 Ascorbic Acid, P 1903-4

Secondary ID

42362

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
National University Hospital-Singapore Additional Information:

Last updated 19/06/2026