Vitamin C

Vitamin

Report in 72Hrs

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Fasting Required

Details

Measures vitamin levels.

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Vitamin C Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Measures blood levels of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), a water-soluble vitamin essential for collagen synthesis, immune function, and antioxidant protection
- Diagnoses Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) or insufficiency in patients with symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, poor wound healing, or bleeding gums
- Evaluates nutritional status in patients with malabsorption disorders, chronic illness, alcoholism, or restrictive diets
- Monitors patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or with conditions affecting Vitamin C absorption
- Performed when patients present with symptoms of scurvy, persistent infections, slow wound healing, or anemia of unclear etiology
Normal Range
- Normal Reference Range: 0.6 to 2.0 mg/dL (34 to 114 μmol/L)
- Units of Measurement: mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or μmol/L (micromoles per liter)
- Low (Deficient): Below 0.6 mg/dL indicates Vitamin C deficiency; severe deficiency (< 0.2 mg/dL) indicates scurvy
- Normal: 0.6 to 2.0 mg/dL indicates adequate Vitamin C status for normal physiologic functions
- High (Excess): Above 2.0 mg/dL may occur with excessive supplementation; generally not harmful but can increase oxalate levels
Interpretation
- Low Vitamin C (< 0.6 mg/dL): Indicates deficiency requiring dietary supplementation or dietary changes; risk factors include malnutrition, alcoholism, dialysis, malabsorption disorders, smoking, and limited fruit/vegetable intake
- Severely Low (< 0.2 mg/dL): Diagnostic for scurvy; presents with bleeding gums, poor wound healing, joint pain, petechiae, anemia, and immunodeficiency
- Normal Range (0.6-2.0 mg/dL): Adequate Vitamin C status; supports immune function, collagen synthesis, antioxidant defense, and wound healing
- High Vitamin C (> 2.0 mg/dL): Results from megadose supplementation; excess is water-soluble and typically excreted; may increase kidney stone risk in susceptible patients
- Factors Affecting Results: Dietary intake, smoking (decreases levels), stress, infection, malabsorption, renal function, medications (aspirin, corticosteroids), and time of sample collection (levels fluctuate daily)
Associated Organs
- Primary Systems Involved: Gastrointestinal tract (absorption), liver and kidneys (metabolism and excretion), connective tissue, immune system, and endothelial cells
- Conditions Associated with Deficiency: Scurvy, impaired wound healing, periodontal disease, recurrent infections, anemia, bleeding disorders, joint pain, and compromised immune response
- Risk Groups: Patients with chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis patients, those with malabsorption syndromes (Crohn's disease, celiac disease), smokers, alcoholics, elderly on restrictive diets, and immunocompromised individuals
- Potential Complications: Severe deficiency leads to scurvy with bleeding, poor wound healing, infections, and if untreated, cardiovascular complications and death; excessive supplementation may cause kidney stones and interfere with certain diagnostic tests
- Diseases Diagnosed/Monitored: Scurvy, malabsorption disorders, chronic kidney disease with dialysis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and conditions requiring TPN support
Follow-up Tests
- Recommended if Low Vitamin C: Complete metabolic panel, iron studies (ferritin, TIBC, serum iron), hemoglobin and hematocrit, coagulation studies (PT/INR, PTT), kidney function tests, and assessment for malabsorption if indicated
- Complementary Tests: Other micronutrient levels (B12, folate, vitamin D, iron), nutritional assessment, liver function tests, protein levels, and baseline prealbumin to evaluate overall nutritional status
- Diagnostic Confirmation: If scurvy is suspected, clinical evaluation and response to Vitamin C supplementation also confirm diagnosis; bone X-rays may show characteristic changes in severe cases
- Monitoring Frequency: Repeat Vitamin C testing 4-8 weeks after initiating supplementation to assess response; annually or every 6 months for dialysis patients; more frequently if symptoms persist or new complications develop
- Further Investigation: If malabsorption is suspected, consider endoscopy, colonoscopy, celiac screening (tissue transglutaminase antibodies), fecal fat studies, and evaluation for underlying gastrointestinal disease
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No, fasting is not required for Vitamin C testing
- Special Instructions: Test can be performed at any time of day; blood sample should be drawn into appropriate collection tube (typically EDTA or lithium heparin tube); sample should be kept refrigerated and protected from light until analysis
- Medication Considerations: Do not take Vitamin C supplements for 24 hours prior to testing if possible, as this may artificially elevate results; inform provider of all medications and supplements, particularly corticosteroids, aspirin, and chemotherapy agents that may affect Vitamin C levels
- Patient Preparation: Routine venipuncture preparation; sit or lie down for 5 minutes before draw if prone to dizziness; no special clothing or equipment needed; test typically completed within 5-10 minutes
- Timing Considerations: Vitamin C levels fluctuate throughout the day; morning samples are preferred for consistency; consistent sampling time is important if serial monitoring; results typically available within 1-3 business days

How our test process works!