Inhibition by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) of chemical detection of blood in urine

R. M. Jaffe, L. Lawrence, A. Schmid, J. D. MacLowry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Review of results of 9,620 consecutive urinalyses revealed 892 urines that contained microscopic evidence of erythrocytes and 98 for which there were discrepancies between microscopic evidence of hematuria (>20 erythrocytes/high-power field) and chemical detection of blood (0 or 'I+' when results should be '3+'). Eleven specimens (from ten patients) showed negative results of chemical test for blood and >40 erythrocytes/high-power field (HPF). Nine of these patients were receiving ascorbic acid supplementation. In a random sample of 20 patients with >40 erythrocytes/HPF and strongly positive tests for blood, non was receiving ascorbic acid, a significant difference by chi-square analysis. In a prospective study, low levels of ascorbic acid inhibited chemical detection of blood. At 25 mg/kl ascorbic acid, 10-20 erythrocytes/HPF could not be detected; at 35 mg/dl ascorbic acid, >20 erythrocytes/HPF were undetectable. For quantitation of the low level at which ascorbic acid inhibits chemical detection of blood, fresh urine specimens should be analyzed. Ascorbic acid is oxidated in vitro to products that partially inhibit detection of blood yet do not assay as ascorbic acid.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)468-470
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican journal of clinical pathology
Volume72
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1979
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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