Newcastle Laboratories

Amino Acids (full analysis), CSF

Clinical Background:

Analysis of amino acids in CSF is performed for the investigation of a metabolic cause of intractable seizures or other severe neurological disease.  The profile includes glycine (required for diag...

Analysis of amino acids in CSF is performed for the investigation of a metabolic cause of intractable seizures or other severe neurological disease.  The profile includes glycine (required for diagnosis of non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia) and serine (for diagnosis of serine synthesis disorders).  A paired plasma sample should be taken for comparison of CSF amino acid results with those in plasma.

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    CSF in universal tube

    CSF in universal tube

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    CSF in universal tube

    CSF in universal tube

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    0.5 mL CSF

    0.5 mL CSF

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL CSF

    0.5 mL CSF

  • Special Requirement:

    Send with a paired plasma sample

    Send with a paired plasma sample

  • Sample Stability:

    4 hours at ambient temperature

    Frozen 6 months

     

    4 hours at ambient temperature

    Frozen 6 months

     

  • Transport Requirements:

    Ward: send to laboratory at ambient temperature

    External laboratories: send frozen to RVI

    Ward: send to laboratory at ambient temperature

    External laboratories: send frozen to RVI

  • Quality Assurance:

    ERNDIM

    ERNDIM

  • Interpretation:

    Ratios of CSF:plasma amino acids are reported where appropriate.

    Contamination of the CSF sample with traces of blood will cause falsely elevated concentrations of amino acids.

    Some drugs (e.g. val...

    Ratios of CSF:plasma amino acids are reported where appropriate.

    Contamination of the CSF sample with traces of blood will cause falsely elevated concentrations of amino acids.

    Some drugs (e.g. valproate) can cause increased CSF amino acids.

    Results will be interpreted in context of the clinical information and results of other laboratory investigations.  It is therefore essential that clinical details are supplied with requests, including current medication.

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  • Reference Ranges:

    Age-related reference ranges and interpretation provided on laboratory report

    Age-related reference ranges and interpretation provided on laboratory report

  • 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
Assayed twice weekly
Site of analysis: RVI

Turn Around:

13 days

Urgent analysis is available following discussion with the laboratory, contact details below

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

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

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