Amino Acids (Quantitative), Serum

WSLH Department: Biochemical Genetics
WSLH Test Code: 552
Availability: Prior to submission of specimens for Biochemical Genetics testing, please contact the laboratory at: (608) 263-4619.
Turn-around Time: 7 days after receipt of sample
Recommended Uses: Defects in amino acid metabolism may result in the accumulation of one or more amino acids in the blood (aminoacidemia) or excess excretion in urine (aminoaciduria) leading to disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), homocystinuria, glycine encephalopathy and various urea cycle defects. Defects in organic acid metabolism also have secondary abnormalities in amino acid levels.

Clinical information is particularly important for appropriate interpretation.
Contraindications: None
Additional Tests Performed:
Patient Preparations:
Specimen Requirements: Minimum 0.5mL serum
Specimen Handling & Transport: Serum should remain frozen during transport. Note: Refrigerated specimens are acceptable provided the time between collection and receipt is less than 24 hours.
Collection Kit/Container: Serum Separator Tube (red top)
Collection Instructions: Perform venipuncture as with any other blood collection device and draw 2.5 times the volume requested. Gently invert the tube no more than eight times. Further inversion my cause loss of sample integrity. Do not remove the stopper. Do not centrifuge immediately after collection. Allow the blood to clot at least 30 minutes, but no more than 1 hour before centrifugation. Centrifuge the tube. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw top freezer vial for transport to WSLH. Transport to WSLH frozen.
Unacceptable Conditions: Specimens sent at ambient temperature; Specimens with contamination (blood, bacteria, lipids); Mislabeled specimens; Insufficient specimen quantity
Requisition Form: Biochemical Genetics Requisition Form
Required Information: Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label.
Results Include: Quantification of 20+ amino acids and interpretation of clinical significance
Limitations:
Additional Tests Recommended: See result report for recommendations
Additional Comments:
Methodology: HPLC
Includes: Quantification for 20+ amino acids and interpretation of the profile
CPT Code: 82139
Price: For pricing information, please call 608-262-9674
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