Contents

Search

ascorbate in serum/plasma

Indications: - evaluation of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) Reference interval: - serum/plasma: 0.4-1.5 mg/dL (23-85 umol/L) - ascorbate deficiency < 0.2 mg/dL Increases: 1) oral vitamin C supplements will increase plasma levels a) large doses (grams/day) may result in plasma levels > 2 mg/dL b) renal threshold for vitamin C is 1.0 mg/dL (57 umol/L) Decreases: 1) chemical interferences a) plasma -> aminopyrine, aspirin, barbiturates, estrogens, heavy metals, oral contraceptives, nitrosamines, paradehyde 2) clinical disorders a) plasma -> scurvy, anemia, pregnancy, steatorrhea, alcoholism, malabsorption, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid disease, cancer, hemodialysis b) blood levels are lower in males & in heavy smokers * results may be misleading when either leukocyte or platelet count is abnormal Specimen: 1) serum or plasma (oxalate, EDTA or heparin) avoid hemolysis a) deproteinize promptly with metaphosphoric acid (5 g/dL) or trichloroacetic acid (10 g/dL) b) supernatants stable at -20 C for 2 months

Related

ascorbate; ascorbic acid; vitamin C

General

ascorbate in specimen

References

  1. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995
  2. Vitamin C, Plasma Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 80380