VITC

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

EPIC Test Procedure Code: LAB3243

Synonyms:
Ascorbic Acid
Performing Lab:
Referral Laboratory
Patient Preparation:

Fasting overnight (12-14 hours) (infants-collect prior to next feeding). Water can be taken as needed.

Container Type:
Green-top (Lithium Heparin) tube
Specimen Type:

Plasma Heparin PROTECTED FROM LIGHT

Preferred Volume:
1 mL
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL
Collection Procedure:

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

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

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

Specimen Processing:

1. Transfer the specimen to an amber plastic transport tube and freeze immediately.
2. If amber tubes are unavailable, cover a standard plastic transport tube completely, top and bottom, with aluminum foil. 
3. Identify the specimen container with the patient name directly on the container and on the aluminum foil. Secure with tape.

Store and Transport:
Frozen and protected from light
Stability:

Room temperature - unstable
Refrigerated - unstable
Frozen - 14 days

Unacceptable Condition:

Gross Hemolysis: Reject

CPT Codes:

82180 - Vitamin C (EAP 30020488)

Test Schedule:
Monday through Friday
Turnaround Time:
4-6 Days
Method:
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Portions of this test are covered by patents held by Quest Diagnostics

Lab Personnel

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