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Biomarker Encyclopedia

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Home/Biomarkers/Micronutrients & Vitamins/Vit C
Micronutrients & VitaminsCollagen Synthesis & Antioxidant

Plasma Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) (Vit C)

Water-soluble antioxidant and obligate enzymatic cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases during collagen triple-helix synthesis.

Standard Range0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL (23 - 114 umol/L)
Optimal Longevity0.8 - 1.6 mg/dL
Measurement Unitmg/dL
Organ SystemCollagen Synthesis & Antioxidant
Routine Panels:Nutritional Antioxidant Profile

Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesmg/dL

Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.

Interactive Range Analyzer
Unit: mg/dL
mg/dL
Presets:
0 mg/dLOptimal Zone Target3 mg/dL
Optimal Longevity Zone(1.2 mg/dL)

Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.

Standard Reference Interval

0.4 - 2.0 mg/dL (23 - 114 umol/L)

General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.

Optimal Longevity Target

0.8 - 1.6 mg/dL

Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.

Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose

Donates electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species and regenerates oxidized vitamin E back to its active form.

Differential Diagnosis

Elevated Levels (Vit C High)

  • •High-dose intravenous or oral vitamin C intake

Low Levels (Vit C Low)

  • •Scurvy (perifollicular hemorrhages, gingival bleeding)
  • •Chronic smoking and oxidative stress
  • •Severe malnutrition

Technical Reference & Deep Dive

Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
At the molecular level, Plasma Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) (Vit C) is critically involved in collagen synthesis & antioxidant. Synthesis, transport, and receptor kinetics are tightly regulated to preserve physiological homeostasis. Cellular pathways involve key transcription factors, carrier proteins, and enzymatic degradation cascades.
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Essential for vascular wall collagen crosslinking, capillary integrity, wound healing, and norepinephrine synthesis.
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup

Pre-Analytical Considerations:

Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.

Reflexive Testing Protocol:

  • Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for Vit C
  • Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to collagen synthesis & antioxidant
  • Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
  • [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of Plasma Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
  • [2]Vit C in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Common Panels:Nutritional Antioxidant Profile
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Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators

Medicine 3.0

Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Plasma Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) (Vit C) into overall healthspan optimization.

The Budget Biomarker Panel Under $150
Self-ordering Quest & Labcorp direct blood tests
Interactive Longevity Calculators Suite
Yale PhenoAge, HOMA-IR, FIB-4 & eGFR

Related Micronutrients & Vitamins Biomarkers

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
hs-CRP · < 0.5 mg/L
Serum Creatinine
Cr · 0.8 - 1.1 mg/dL (stable across time)
Apolipoprotein B
ApoB · < 60 mg/dL (or < 50 mg/dL in high-risk phenotypes)
PreviousSerum Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) (Vit E)Micronutrients & VitaminsNextPlasma Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (PLP / B6)Micronutrients & Vitamins