Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Vitamin C (Synonym: Ascorbic Acid, VITC)

Clinical Indications:

Vitamin C analysis is clinically indicated for diagnosis of deficiency NOT routine screening.

Plasma levels of Vitamin C are not required to determine sufficient intake. Excess intake does not lead to toxicity.

Collection Alert:

Keep tubes cold (immerse in ice water) before collecting and immediately after collection.

Protect from light by wrapping tubes in foil immediately after collection.

Ensure trichloracetic acid (TCA) is available before collection.

Shipping and Handling Alert:

The specimen MUST be centrifuged, and plasma MUST be aliquoted, treated with TCA, and protected from light. See processing requirements below.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB671

Test Code:

CALGARY	VITCS
CENTRAL	VITC
EDMONTON	VITC
NORTH	VITC
SOUTH ZONE	VITC

Specimen Type:

Blood

Primary Container:

LAVENDER EDTA

Minimum Collection Volume:

1 mL plasma

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Minimum 10 hour fast is recommended. No alcohol or nutritional supplements containing vitamin C within 24 hours of collection. For newborns, collect just before next feed.

This test cannot be collected by Mobile Collection Services.

Calgary Zone: Urban sites inpatients ONLY. Community specimens can be collected at APL Beddington & Glenmore Landing Patient Service Centres.

Central Zone: Red Deer Regional Hospital inpatients ONLY. Community specimens can be collected at DynaLIFE Camrose, Lloydminster and Red Deer Patient Service Centres.

Edmonton Zone: University of Alberta Hospital: collect between 08:00-14:30 Monday to Friday and send specimen on ice to the lab immediately.
Urban sites inpatients ONLY. Community specimens can be collected at DynaLIFE Synergy, Tawa, or College Plaza Patient Service Centres.

North Zone: Cold Lake Healthcare Centre Outpatient Lab, Peace River Community Health Centre Outpatient Lab and Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Outpatient Lab by booking an appointment at https://aplappointments.ca/ or calling 1-833-572-0577.
Fort McMurray community specimens can be collected at the Fort McMurray Hospital Outpatient Laboratory.

South Zone: Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Outpatient Lab and the Lethbridge Community Lab (CRH Auxiliary) by booking an appointment at https://aplappointments.ca/ or calling 1-833-572-0577.

Test Resources:

Patient Instructions: Fasting Tests

General Laboratory Requisition – 21302 – write test name under “Additional Tests”

Processing:

Centrifuge in refrigerated centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.
Immediately aliquot 0.5 mL plasma to 1 mL, 5% w.v TCA, vortexing or shaking the tube throughout the addition.
Write "TCA added" on the aliquot tube.
Protect aliquot tube from light by using an amber tube or by wrapping tube in foil. Label both the container and the foil with a specimen label.
Freeze specimen before transport to University of Alberta Hospital.

Transportation:

Frozen

Testing Schedule:

Batched - test performed within 2 weeks of receipt

Reference Interval:

Severe deficiency	Less than 11 µmol/L
Sufficient levels	23-85 µmol/L

Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry 2006 and Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2012/2013

Testing Area:

Biochemistry

Performing Site:

Edmonton Zone: University of Alberta Hospital

Additional Test Information:

This test is performed by Edmonton Special Chemistry

Last Updated On:

Monday, June 27, 2022