Newcastle Laboratories

Cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine, urine

Clinical Background:

Cystinuria is an inherited disorder characterized by the impaired reabsorption of cystine in the proximal tubule of the nephron and the gastrointestinal epithelium. The only clinically significant ...

Cystinuria is an inherited disorder characterized by the impaired reabsorption of cystine in the proximal tubule of the nephron and the gastrointestinal epithelium. The only clinically significant manifestation is recurrent nephrolithiasis secondary to the poor solubility of cystine in urine. Although cystinuria is a relatively common disorder, it accounts for no more than 1% of all urinary tract stones. Thus far, mutations in 2 genes, SLC3A1 and SLC7A9, have been identified as being responsible for most cases of cystinuria by encoding defective subunits of the cystine transporter. With the discovery of mutated genes, the classification of patients with cystinuria has been changed from one based on phenotypes (I, II, III) to one based on the affected genes (I and non-type I; or A and B). Most often this classification can be used without gene sequencing by determining whether the affected individual's parents have abnormal urinary cystine excretion. Clinically, insoluble cystine precipitates into hexagonal crystals that can coalesce into larger, recurrent calculi. Prevention of stone formation is the primary goal of management and includes hydration, dietary restriction of salt and animal protein, urinary alkalinization, and cystine-binding thiol drugs.

Read More

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL urine

    1 mL urine

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 mL urine

    1 mL urine

  • Reference Ranges:

    24h urine (µmol/24h)

    up to 4w

     0 - 43

    1m - 12m

     0 - 52

    1 - 4y

     0 - 24

    5 - 11y

     0 - 51

    12 - 17y

     0 - 119

    Adult

     0 - 186

    Random urine (µmol/mmol)

    ...

    24h urine (µmol/24h)

    up to 4w

     0 - 43

    1m - 12m

     0 - 52

    1 - 4y

     0 - 24

    5 - 11y

     0 - 51

    12 - 17y

     0 - 119

    Adult

     0 - 186

    Random urine (µmol/mmol)

    Read More
  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

  • Specialist Test:

    Yes

    Yes

  • Specialist Contact Name:

    Metabolic Clinical Scientist

    Metabolic Clinical Scientist

  • Specialist Telephone:

    0191 282 9685 (Consultant Clinical Scientist)

    0191 282 0334 (Metabolic Laboratory)

    0191 282 9685 (Consultant Clinical Scientist)

    0191 282 0334 (Metabolic Laboratory)

  • Specialist Email:

Availability:

Available during full access hours
Assyed twice weekly
Site of analysis: RVI

Turn Around:

2 weeks

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

View all tests