Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Li Hep Plasma
Specimen Transport
Transport on dry ice.Sample Processing in Laboratory
Plasma/serum must be separated within 2 hours of collection.
Can be sent by first class post at the beginning of the week.
Sample Preparation
Need to obtain special collection tube from reference lab before bleeding patient. Please contact DB.
On receipt in laboratory: add freshly prepared 10g/dL Metaphosphoric acid (MPA). Place plasma/serum immediately into MPA (1:1 dilution). Spin and store at -70 ºC.
Turnaround Time
3 weeksSample Stability
-70 ºCVitamin C
General Information
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet. It is rapidly broken down by heating. Absorption occurs readily, mostly from the stomach and is found in most tissues. The half life in the body is about 2 weeks. Loss occurs in the urine.
Vitamin C is a cofactor for procollagen hydroxylase and hence plays a vital role in connective tissue integrity. It also has an antioxidant role and is involved in hormone, neurotransmitter and carnitine synthesis.
Deficiency
Deficiency (which is rare in western cultures) can lead to fatigue and easy bruising. Structurally weakened tissue(scurvy) which is swollen, tender and bleeding.
Toxicity
Large doses of vitamin C have generally been considered nontoxic. Gastrointestinal symptoms, vitamin B12 deficiency, increased iron absorption, and increased oxalate production may occur.
Patient Preparation
Withold any Vitamin C treatment until sample taken.
Notes
Analysis is not routinely available and any requests should be referred to the Duty Biochemist on Bleep 2506.
Preferably, 2 samples to be provided.
Reference lab would need to be contacted before sending a sample. Ext 64067
Reference Range
4-20mg/l Provided by Reference Laboratory
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: No
- EQA Status: No EQA scheme available.