Amino Acid, Plasma

BC6010

Synonym(s):
Specimen Container
Lithium heparin tube
(To be obtained from DPLM Client Services, after office hour call extension 1352)
Specimen Requirement
Whole Blood
1 mL
Specimen Storage/Transport
Send specimen directly to the laboratory. Specimen should be separated within 1 hour of sampling.
Please send with a separate ice pack.
Orderable as Urgent? For URGENT analysis, contact the Biochemical Genetics lab on 6394 8728 or the Lead Scientist on 8388 8741 to discuss.
Turn Around Time
5 working days
Reference Value(s)

Plasma Amino Acids Reference Range (µmol/L)

 < 7 days 7 days-6m6m-2years2-10 years10-17 years >17 years
Taurine202692519221138261572010621144
Aspartate649628622623612623
Threonine552955535436264432005618645199
Serine662287325555221632057318560171
Asparagine229219901797229725872887
Glutamate131782120812130109179511142
Glutamine312964304897296713323695331727318823
Glycine15050210539788361102409128356103405
Alanine138625144651101565123573143590155564
Citrulline732948748105111531153
Valine60227762798637110536311731591303
Cystine146212701254135620662589
Methionine10511463948114512381144
Isoleucine6721510623142231303210524108
Leucine291504418843233512206317243174
Tyrosine34141261652513430124291033298
Phenylalanine3188279932110339833953995
Ornithine191592320216114181122510830142
Lysine802757332854275752498624493256
Histidine3910435108381074410540983797
Arginine101092513722121231443114030143
Proline844288234657373593166829961332
Testing Laboratory Location KKH
Laboratory Biochemical Genetics Lab
Contact Number 6394 8728
Day and Time Performed
Mon – Fri: 0900 hrs – 1800 hrs
Orderable on CPOE? Yes
Downtime Form

Biochemical Genetics Lab

Additional Information
​Useful For
  • Detecting disorders such as phenylketonuria(PKU), tyrosinaemia, maple syrup urine disease(MSUD), cystinuria, non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia and the urea cycle disorders.
  • Monitoring the efficacy of treatment in patients with these disorders, as well as patients on low protein diets for other reasons (eg. those with organic acidaemias).
​Clinical Indication
  • ac​ute life-threatening episode
  • failure to thrive
  • recurrent vomiting
  • neurological deterioration
  • hyperammonaemia
  • lethargy
  • metabolic acidosis
  • testing or following therapy for a specific inborn error of metabolism (PKU, MSUD, tyrosinemia, etc.).
​Interpretation​A detailed interpretation requires the overview of results and correlation to available clinical information. Further steps such as additional biochemical and in vitro studies (enzyme & molecular analysis) may be needed to confirm and provide differential diagnosis of the disorders.
  
For URGENT analysis, contact the Biochemical Genetics laboratory at 6394 8728 or the Lead Scientist at 8388 8741 to discuss.
 
If sent after office hours, plasma will be separated and stored in Clinical Laboratory -20°C freezer.

Change History Notes

  • 02 Jul 2025 03:00 PM

    Update day/time performed.

  • 09 Feb 2023 04:45 PM

    ​Update specimen container to be obtained from DPLM Client Services.

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Last Updated - 02 Jul 2025