Aminoaciduria
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Definition
Aminoaciduria is an abnormal amount of amino acids in the urine. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins in the body.
This article discusses the test used to look for increased amounts of amino acids in the urine.
See also:
Alternative Names
Amino acids - urine; Urine amino acids
How the test is performed
A clean-catch urine sample is needed. This is often done at your doctor's office or health clinic.
How to prepare for the test
No special preparations are necessary. Make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines you or your child are taking or have recently used. If this test is being done on an infant who is breast-feeding, make sure the health care provider knows what medicines the nursing mother is taking.
How the test will feel
The test involves only normal urination.
Why the test is performed
This test is done to measure amino acid levels in the urine. There are many different types of amino acids. It is common for some of each kind to be found in the urine, but increased levels of individual amino acids can be a sign of an inborn error of metabolism.
Review Date: 5/12/2011
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Amino acids - urine; Urine amino acids
Special considerations
Failure to have the urine sample promptly evaluated in the laboratory alters the results of the test.
This test is ineffective if the baby is under 6 weeks old and has not been fed dietary protein in the last 48 hours.
Urine chromatography is necessary to accurately measure increased levels of specific amino acids.
Screening infants for increased levels of amino acids can lead to early diagnosis of an inborn error of metabolism. If the condition is promptly treated, complications such as severe mental retardation may be prevented.
Review Date: 5/12/2011
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Alternative Names
Amino acids - urine; Urine amino acids
Normal Values
The specific value is measured in micromoles per deciliter (micromol/dL).
- Alanine
- Children: 65 to 190
- Adults: 160 to 690
- Alpha-aminoadipic acid
- Children: 25 to 78
- Adults: 0 to 165
- Alpha-amino-N-butyric acid
- Children: 7 to 25
- Adults: 0 to 28
- Arginine
- Children: 10 to 25
- Adults: 13 to 64
- Asparagine
- Children: 15 to 40
- Adults: 34 to 100
- Aspartic acid
- Children: 10 to 26
- Adults: 14 to 89
- Beta-alanine
- Children: 0 to 42
- Adults: 0 to 93
- Beta-amino-isobutyric acid
- Children: 25 to 96
- Adults: 10 to 235
- Carnosine
- Children: 34 to 220
- Adults: 16 to 125
- Citrulline
- Children: 0 to 13
- Adults: 0 to 11
- Cystine
- Children: 11 to 53
- Adults: 28 to 115
- Glutamic acid
- Children: 13 to 22
- Adults: 27 to 105
- Glutamine
- Children: 150 to 400
- Adults: 300 to 1,040
- Glycine
- Children: 195 to 855
- Adults: 750 to 2,400
- Histidine
- Children: 46 to 725
- Adults: 500 to 1,500
- Hydroxyproline
- Children: not measured
- Adults: not measured
- Isoleucine
- Children: 3 to 15
- Adults: 4 to 23
- Leucine
- Children: 9 to 23
- Adults: 20 to 77
- Lysine
- Children: 19 to 140
- Adults: 32 to 290
- Methionine
- Children: 7 to 20
- Adults: 5 to 30
- 1-methylhistidine
- Children: 41 to 300
- Adults: 68 to 855
- 3-methylhistidine
- Children: 42 to 135
- Adults: 64 to 320
- Ornithine
- Children: 3 to 16
- Adults: 5 to 70
- Phenylalanine
- Children: 20 to 61
- Adults: 36 to 90
- Phosphoserine
- Children: 16 to 34
- Adults: 28 to 95
- Phosphoethanolamine
- Children: 24 to 66
- Adults: 17 to 95
- Proline
- Children: not measured
- Adults: not measured
- Serine
- Children: 93 to 210
- Adults: 200 to 695
- Taurine
- Children: 62 to 970
- Adults: 267 to 1,290
- Threonine
- Children: 25 to 100
- Adults: 80 to 320
- Tyrosine
- Children: 30 to 83
- Adults: 38 to 145
- Valine
- Children: 17 to 37
- Adults: 19 to 74
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results mean
Increased total urine amino acids may be due to:
Review Date: 5/12/2011
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Review Date: 5/12/2011
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.