Amino Acid Analysis - Urine
Use
The Urine Amino Acid test provides a quantitative analysis of amino acids (AA) in urine, which is crucial for identifying abnormal levels of 22 amino acids that may lead to various disorders including neurological, digestive, endocrine, muscle, liver, renal, neoplastic, and dermatological conditions. This analysis aids in diagnosing inborn errors of metabolism and can serve as a screening tool when such errors are under consideration in a patient’s differential diagnosis. Treating amino acid disorders, often through dietary adjustments, can prevent serious health outcomes across all ages. Conditions commonly indicated for this testing include a history of vomiting, poor feeding, lethargy, and other significant symptoms, as well as family histories suggesting metabolic disorders. Proper diagnosis and intervention could have critical implications for affected individuals.
Special Instructions
For this test, it is imperative to ensure that the urine specimen is collected appropriately and sent without preservatives. The specimen must be stored frozen at -20°C and shipped overnight on dry ice to maintain stability and ensure accurate results. Coordination with the laboratory may be required to ascertain the best times for collection and shipping, ensuring minimal disruption in the patient's testing schedule. In case of queries regarding test ordering or specimen requirements, please reach out to the specified department as indicated in the contact section of the documentation.
Limitations
Diagnoses based on amino acid levels can be affected by numerous factors including the timing of collection, patient hydration status, and diet prior to testing. False positives or negatives may arise due to improper sample handling or transport. Additionally, not all metabolic disorders may be detected through amino acid analysis alone; further testing may be required for comprehensive assessment. The conditions detected may not cover all amino acid metabolism disorders, and screening results should be interpreted in the context of clinical evaluation and other diagnostic findings. Proper identification of abnormalities is essential and requires correlation with clinical symptoms.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
8 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine (Frozen)
Volume
3-5 cc
Minimum Volume
3 cc
Container
Insulated container
Collection Instructions
Send 3-5 cc of random urine. Do not add preservatives.
Storage Instructions
Store the specimen frozen at -20C.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Frozen | Frozen |