Newcastle Laboratories

Amino Acids (full analysis), plasma

Clinical Background:

Measurement of amino acids in biological fluids is performed in the investigation of inherited disorders of amino acid catabolism, biosynthesis and transport and to monitor the treatment of these d...

Measurement of amino acids in biological fluids is performed in the investigation of inherited disorders of amino acid catabolism, biosynthesis and transport and to monitor the treatment of these disorders.  Analysis of amino acids may also be performed to assess the function of various organs including liver, kidney and intestine and the test is used to assess the nutritional state of patients on special diets.  In most cases, plasma is the recommended sample type.

Read More

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Lithium Heparin plasma

    Lithium Heparin plasma

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Lithium Heparin plasma

    Lithium Heparin plasma

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL plasma

    1 mL plasma

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL plasma

    0.5 mL plasma

  • Special Requirement:

    Blood should be separated promptly and plasma frozen.

    Blood should be separated promptly and plasma frozen.

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: 4 hours

    Separated frozen plasma: 6 months

    Unseparated: 4 hours

    Separated frozen plasma: 6 months

  • Transport Requirements:

    Ward: send to laboratory at ambient temperature

    External laboratories: send plasma frozen to RVI

    Ward: send to laboratory at ambient temperature

    External laboratories: send plasma frozen to RVI

  • Quality Assurance:

    ERNDIM

    ERNDIM

  • Interpretation:

    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.

    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.

  • Reference Ranges:

    Age-related reference ranges and interpretation provided on laboratory report

    Age-related reference ranges and interpretation provided on laboratory report

  • Other Info:

    EDTA plasma and serum are acceptable if no lithium-heparin plasma is available. Please provide details of the sample type with the request.

    EDTA plasma and serum are acceptable if no lithium-heparin plasma is available. Please provide details of the sample type with the request.

  • 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

View all tests