Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin C

Optimal Result: 0.2 - 2.3 mg/dL.

Vitamin C is one of the water-soluble vitamins needed for health and survival. Its main functions include immunity, the synthesis of collagen and neurotransmitters, and protein metabolism. Vitamin C is one of the antioxidants used by the body to slow down aging and quench free radicals that may be involved in infections. The vitamin stimulates the synthesis of white blood cells, including phagocytes that engulf foreign bacteria. 

The body tissues that concentrate vitamin C are the white blood cells, eyes, and the adrenal glands. Studies show that vitamin C is very beneficial for cancer prevention and treatment, the healing of wounds, preventing eye disorders such as macular degeneration, healing from heart disease, and preventing the common cold.

Normal Ranges for Vitamin C in mg/dL or umol/L:

Adults: 0.6-2 mg/dL or > or equal to 50 umol/L (plasma)

Critical Range: <0.3 mg/dL or <11 umol/L (plasma)

Sources:

  1. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2088649-overview
  2. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C 
  3. http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/itemLC001479/Vitamin-C-Blood-Test#description 

What does it mean if your Vitamin C result is too low?

A vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy. Signs of a deficiency include the following:

- Easy bruising from weakened blood vessels

- Fatigue

- Wound healing that is prolonged

- Inflammation of the gums with bleeding during brushing

- Pain in the joints

Some specific causes of low vitamin C levels might be: 

- Failure to eat citrus fruits 

- Renal dialysis

- Malabsorption syndromes

- Pregnancy

- Hyperthyroidism

- Use of oral contraceptives or aspirin (Eight aspirin tablets a day has lowered vitamin C levels by 50% in studies.)

- Smoking habit or exposure to second-hand smoke

- Patients with iron overload (Iron is antagonistic to vitamin C)

- Type 1 diabetes

- Lead toxicity

- Infants that receive cow’s milk or evaporated milk without any additional source of vitamin C

What does it mean if your Vitamin C result is too high?

Vitamin C is not toxic and there is no known toxic level for it. The vitamin is given intravenously for various conditions without any side effects. However, supplement intake of vitamin C in amounts greater than 1-2 grams can cause some individuals to experience loose stools.

However, in those who have a glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency, blood cell fragility may occur when levels are too high. This may result in bruising or hemorrhaging. 

High Vitamin C might be associated with taking high doses of supplements.

10 000+ happy clients
100% satisfaction
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ customer support

Understand blood, stool, and urine medical results from all your laboratories.

Get Started With Our Personal Plan

Advanced Plan

  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Five free uploads
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Five free uploads
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
$79 per year
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support

Unlimited Plan

  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Ten free uploads
  • ✓ Unlimited access
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Ten free uploads
  • ✓ Unlimited access
$250 full version

Are You a Health Professional?

Get started with our professional plan

Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.

Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more

Pro Plan

for health professionals

  • ✓ Track multiple clients results
  • ✓ No setup fees
  • ✓ No hidden costs
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free template forms
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Additional team member $25
  • ✓ Personal training and support

$45 per month

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

×

Understand Your Lab Result Now

  • Instant interpretation
  • 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • Science-based recommendations
  • Online support
  • Secure and private portal

Get 10% off with promocode: