Vitamin C blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found mainly in fruit and vegetables. The body cannot make or store much of it, so blood levels depend closely on what you have eaten recently. It is needed to make collagen, the protein that keeps skin, gums, blood vessels and healing wounds strong, and it helps the body absorb iron from plant foods.

A long-standing shortage can lead to scurvy, which is rare but still seen in people with very restricted diets, alcohol dependence or difficulty shopping and cooking. Smoking also increases the body's need for vitamin C. The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner and a GP feedback report on request. The sample is processed carefully because vitamin C breaks down quickly once blood is taken.

Who it is for

• You eat very little fruit and vegetables, or your diet has become limited for health or personal reasons.
• You bruise easily, have swollen or bleeding gums, or find cuts slow to heal.
• You have ongoing tiredness alongside a poor appetite and want to check a possible cause.
• You smoke or drink heavily and would like to check your vitamin C status.
• You care for an older relative whose diet has narrowed and want a clearer picture.

Understanding your result

Your report compares your vitamin C level with the laboratory reference range. A low result can reflect low recent intake, a higher need (for example in smokers or during illness), or reduced absorption. A very low level together with symptoms such as gum problems and easy bruising may support a diagnosis of deficiency, but your practitioner will look at your diet and history before drawing conclusions.

High levels are uncommon because extra vitamin C is passed out in urine, though they can be seen with large supplement doses. As with any marker, a result outside the range is a starting point for discussion, not a diagnosis on its own.

Preparing for your test

Because vitamin C levels reflect recent intake, a fasting morning sample is often preferred, and we will confirm the exact preparation when you book. Let us know about any vitamin C, multivitamin or effervescent supplements, as a dose taken shortly before the test can raise the result.

For a broader check of diet-related markers, see our Nutritional and Digestive Health check, and if tiredness is the main concern the Tired All The Time check looks at common causes. For the full range, see every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a vitamin C blood test in Chiswick?

The vitamin C blood test costs £179. This includes the sample at our W4 clinic, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and an optional GP feedback report.

Should I fast before a vitamin C test?

A fasting morning sample is often preferred because what you ate recently affects the level. We will confirm the preparation for your appointment when you book.

Can a blood test diagnose scurvy?

A very low level supports the diagnosis when it is seen together with the typical signs, such as bleeding gums and easy bruising. Your practitioner reads the result alongside your diet and symptoms, and may suggest you see your GP.

Will taking supplements change my result?

Yes. Vitamin C is absorbed quickly, so a supplement taken shortly before your appointment can raise the level. Tell us what you take so we can advise on timing.