Test directory: Vitamin C

Ordering Code 334
Test Name Vitamin C
Alias Ascorbic Acid
Preferred Specimen Serum
Preferred Container SST (Gold)
Other Specimen/Container Plasma in Sodium Heparin (Green), Serum in Plain (Red)
Optimum Volume 2 mL
Collection Instructions Fasting specimen preferred but not required
Patient should refrain from eating fruits and taking vitamin C supplements 24 hours prior to collection.
Handling Instructions Centrifuge to separate within 1 hour of collection. Submit aliquot specimen in an Amber Transport Tube (or aliquot tube that is wrapped in foil to protect from light). Freeze
Once frozen, do not allow specimen to thaw
For temporary transfer, it is ok to transfer at -20 degrees or on dry ice
Specimen must be received at Central laboratory within the same day of receipt to store at -70 degrees.
Transport Requirements Oahu: Frozen
Airline: Frozen
Specimen Stability Ambient: Not Stable
Refrigerated: Not Stable -20 Degrees: 8 Hours -70 Degress: 35 Days
Rejection Criteria Hemolyzed, Lipemic, Not protected from light, Thawed,
Received ambient or refrigerated
Avail. Stat NO
Analytic Time Up to 10 Days
Methodology Liquid Chromatography/ Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
Reference Lab  Quest Diagnostic Lab-NI

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of June 29, 2025.
Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Vitamin C ALL See report.