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UF Health University of Florida
Pathology Laboratories UF Path Labs - Department of Pathology
Storm Update

Amino Acids

Additional Information:


UFHPL Epic order code: LAB811

CPT Code(s):

82139

Collection Procedure:

Special instructions:

  1. Venipuncture is preferred. Capillary specimens are acceptable, but results for several amino acids *serine, glycine, glutamine, glutamic acid) may not reflect plasma amino acid concentrations.
  2. Spin specimens before refrigerating them, if blood is collected in a gel tube (PST, PPT).
  3. If transport is delayed or specimens are sent by overnight courier, spin blood and seperate and freeze plasma.

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Blood
Container: Heparin is preferred, but EDTA is acceptable.
Sample volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum volume: 0.25 mL
Storage: Refrigerate whole blood specimens.
Stability (collection to time of analysis):

  • Ambient: 2 hours
  • Refrigerated: 1 day
  • Frozen: 4 weeks
Rejection criteria:

  • Frozen whole blood
  • Citrate or acid citrate dextrose (ACD) tubes

Use:

This test is used to evaluate and monitor amino acidemias, as well as monitor patients on amino acid- and protein-restricted diets.

Reports include data on amino acids used for the diagnosis and monitoring of inherited metabolic disorders.

Methodology:


Liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after derivation by benzoyl chloride

Reported:


Within 5 business days