Test Entry - Detail

Vitamin C

General

Clinical Use:

Vitamin C deficiency is difficult to diagnose on the basis of clinical presentation alone and requires plasma levels for confirmation. The deficiency has been reported in children with neurological and behavioural disabilities, cohorts with stringent dietary restrictions, patients with chronic health disorders, the elderly, and renal disease patients. Prolonged deficiency of vitamin C leads to the development of scurvy, a disease characterized by an inability to form adequate intercellular substance in connective tissues. This results in the formation of swollen, ulcerative lesions in the gums, mouth, and other tissues that are structurally weakened. Early symptoms may include weakness, easy fatigue and listlessness, as well as shortness of breath, and aching joints, bones, and muscles.

Availability:

Samples are batched and tested once a fortnight.

Aliases/Synonyms:

Ascorbic Acid,

Code:

VTC

Handling Instructions (to laboratory):

Deliver whole sample, protected from light, immediately following collection.
Send deproteinised sample frozen and protected from light.

Hyperlink:

Unit of Measure:

mg/L

Reference Interval:

4.0-14.0 mg/L
Vitamin C <2.0 mg/L indicates deficiency

Collection Requirements

Container:

EDTA (LAVENDER),

Sample Type:

See container

Minimum Collection Volume:

2mL

Collection Instructions:

Collections at the QEII site (SCGH and PCH) can only be performed Monday-Friday 0900-1600.
If sample will not reach QEII Special Chemistry laboratory within 1 hour of collection, it must be deproteinised as follows:
1. Centrifuge sample at 1300g for 10 minutes and aliquot exactly 1mL of plasma into the deproteinisation tube (available from PathWest Media). This step must be performed using a calibrated mechanical pipette. If there is insufficient sample to pipette 1mL of plasma then reduce volume of deproteinising solution accordingly. Eg 500uL plasma to 500uL of solution.
2. Mix well and centrifuge at 1300g for 10 minutes.
3. Aliquot supernatant into a labelled aliquot tube protected from light and freeze.

Processing Requirements

Alternate Containers:

Processing Instructions:

Process sample immediately on arrival in laboratory. The testing department should be contacted to arrange collection of sample from CSRA.

Minimum Assay Volume:

1mL

Stability:

1 month frozen

Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory):

Send deproteinised sample frozen and protected from light.

Testing Locations

Performed at:

Section	Department	Site	Contact Phone
Special Chemistry	Biochemistry	QEII Medical Centre	6383 4114

Last Updated : 28-04-2026 10:41