Use

Evaluation of patients with a clinical suspicion of a wide range of conditions including organic acidemias, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and primary carnitine deficiency using serum specimens. Carnitine and its esters are required for normal energy metabolism, facilitating the import and export of various fatty acids and maintaining CoA ratios. The test serves as a biochemical screening for disorders of the carnitine cycle or related disturbances. More than 100 primary and secondary disorders have been described, with potential causes of abnormal carnitine levels including neuromuscular diseases and prolonged treatment with certain medications.