Clinical background:
Vitamin C is a negative acute phase reactant. Request will only be accepted if CRP checked and is not elevated. Deficiency (which is rare in western societies) can lead to fatigue and easy bruising. Structurally weakened tissue, as in scurvy, is swollen, tender and bleeding.
Large doses of Vitamin C are generally regarded as non-toxic. GI symptoms, vitamin B12 deficiency, increased iron absorption and increased oxalate production may occur.
Specimen container paediatric:
Lithium heparin plasma
Specimen container adult:
Lithium heparin plasma
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 mL
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL
Special requirements:
Sample must be protected from light.The laboratory MUST be contacted prior to sample collection and sample must be delivered to the laboratory IMMEDIATELY after collection.
Transport requirements:
Sample sent on dry ice
Reference ranges:
Adult: 26 to 85 umol/L
Other Info:
Referral Laboratory: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rotherham General Hospital NHS Trust, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD