Plasma amino acid is a screening test for infants to see if they have a metabolic inborn disorder related to any of the amino acids. It is a protein metabolism screening test in general because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids are bound to form millions of protein chains. They are not in equal amounts or sequences in different proteins. There are 20 different amino acids building the proteins and these proteins have different functions in the body. 9 of these amino acids cannot be synthesized in the human body.These are called essential amino acids and should be taken in foods.
Interpretation: An inceased or decreased level of an amino acid is the sign of a metabolic disorder of that particular amino acid. Some amino acids can be synthesized by the body itself and some should be taken in nutrition. Low amounts and high amounts, may be the sign of a synthetic disorder of that amino acid. High values may reflect a problem in the degradation of that amino acid. Deficiency and high amounts are both reasons for spesific metabolic disorders. Different amino acid disorders cause different inborn disorders some of them are fatal if untreated.
Sample: Arm vein plasma(Heparine). Urine(Spot). Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: 2 days 6 :00 PM
