Download Plasma Amino Acids

Plasma Amino Acids
Amino acid (AA) analysis aids in the identification of dietary protein
adequacy and amino acid balance, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, forms of
protein intolerance, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, renal and hepatic
dysfunction, psychiatric abnormalities, susceptibility to inflammatory
response and oxidative stress, reduced detoxification capacity and many
other inherent and acquired disorders in AA metabolism. Plasma is
traditionally used to assess the status of essential AA while urine analysis
provides more information regarding AA wasting and aberrant metabolism
associated with co-factor insufficiencies.
Turnaround Time
3 to 5 days
Analytes Tested
Analyte
CPT ABN Required
1-Methylhistidine; plasma
82139 No
3-Methylhistidine; plasma
82139 No
A-Amino-n-butyrate; plasma
82139 No
A-Aminoadipate; plasma
82139 No
Alanine; plasma
82139 No
Ammonia; plasma
82139 No
Anserine; plasma
82139 No
Arginine; plasma
82139 No
Asparagine; plasma
82139 No
Aspartic Acid; plasma
82139 No
B-Alanine; plasma
82139 No
B-Aminoisobutyrate; plasma
82139 No
Carnosine; plasma
82139 No
Citrulline; plasma
82139 No
Cystathionine; plasma
82139 No
Cystine; plasma
82139 No
Ethanolamine; plasma
82139 No
G-Aminobutyrate; plasma
82139 No
Glutamic Acid; plasma
82139 No
Glutamine; plasma
82139 No
Glycine; plasma
82139 No
Histidine; plasma
82139 No
Homocystine; plasma
82139 No
Hydroxyproline; plasma
82139 No
Isoleucine; plasma
82139 No
Leucine; plasma
82139 No
Lysine; plasma
82139 No
Met Sulfoxide; plasma
82139 No
Methionine; plasma
82139 No
Ornithine; plasma
82139 No
Phenylalanine; plasma
82139 No
Phosphoethanolamine;
plasma
82139 No
Phosphoserine; plasma
82139 No
Proline; plasma
82139 No
Sarcosine; plasma
82139 No
Serine; plasma
82139 No
Taurine; plasma
82139 No
Threonine; plasma
82139 No
Tryptophan; plasma
82139 No
Tyrosine; plasma
82139 No
Urea; plasma
82139 No
Valine; plasma
82139 No
Detailed Information
Many individuals have "hidden" impairments in amino acid metabolism that are
problematic and often go undiagnosed. These impairments may or may not be
expressed as specific symptoms. They may silently increase susceptibility to a
degenerative disease or they may be associated with, but not causative for, a
disease. Because of the wealth of information provided, it is suggested that a
complete amino acid analysis be performed whenever a thorough nutritional and
metabolic workup is called for.
Amino acid analysis provides fundamental information about nutrient adequacy,
including the quality and quantity of dietary protein, digestive disorders, and vitamin
and mineral deficiencies—particularly folic acid, B12, B6 metabolism, zinc and
magnesium. In addition, amino acid analysis provides important diagnostic information
about hepatic and renal function, availability of precursors of neurotransmitters,
detoxification capacity, susceptibility to occlusive arterial disease (homocystine), and
many inherent disorders in amino acid metabolism.
The patient's results are presented in a functional format that permits ease of
interpretation. A comprehensive summary of "presumptive needs" (such as B6,
B12/folate, Mg) and "implied conditions" (such as maldigestion/malabsorption,
abnormal gastrointestinal flora, impaired detoxification, oxidative stress) are
presented based upon each patient's results. Patient-specific amino acid supplement
schedules and user-friendly commentary are provided to simplify nutritional
intervention.
Plasma vs. Urine Analysis
Plasma is traditionally used to assess the status of essential AA while urine analysis
provides more information regarding AA wasting and aberrant metabolism associated
with co-factor insufficiencies.
Plasma amino acid analysis measures what is being transported at the time of
sampling. The specimen should be collected after an overnight fast to reduce the
influence of dietary protein. Abnormalities are deduced by comparison of measured
levels with an established reference range.
The 24-hour urine amino acid analysis has the highest probability of detecting
abnormalities if renal function is normal. The 24-hour test indicates what is high and
low over the course of a day, reflects blood and tissue amino acid pools, and is not
affected by circadian rhythm. Healthy kidneys efficiently conserve essential amino
acids. Therefore, urine levels of amino acids decrease first and tend to give an earlier
indication of inadequacy than do plasma levels.
A first morning void urine (FMV) amino acid analysis, with results normalized per gram
creatinine, provides an alternative when a complete 24-hour collection is not a viable
option. The FMV analysis is excellent for identification of marked abnormalities,
particularly with respect to gastrointestinal health, inherited disorders in amino acid
metabolism and renal function, and can be used for protein challenge testing.