Amino Acid

Contents:

Medical Video: Memorize The 20 Amino Acids - The Easy Way!

Definition

What is amino acid?

Amino acid tests are used to measure amino acids in the body and diagnose abnormalities in amino acid metabolism. Amino acids are substances that form proteins, hormones, and nucleic acids in the body. In addition, amino acids act as neurotransmitters and enzymes. Amino acids are absorbed by food everyday. After entering the body, food is metabolized into other amino acids. However, there are 8 types of amino acids that the body cannot produce by itself. These eight types can be obtained from the daily menu.

Metabolism or transmission of incomplete amino acids makes this substance mix in blood or urine, or even both. Imperfect amino acid metabolism is mostly caused by hereditary factors. Disorders of amino acid metabolism can have a mild or severe impact (such as mental retardation, growth retardation, and epilepsy)

Diseases associated with disorders of amino acid metabolism are phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), homocystinuria and cystic fibrosis.

When do I have to undergo amino acid?

This test is done for:

  • cognitive diseases associated with disorders of amino acid metabolism such as phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), homocystinuria and cystic fibrosis
  • observe the effectiveness of treatment
  • check the nutritional status of patients

Prevention & warning

What should I know before undergoing amino acid?

Several factors that can affect test results include:

  • Amino acid concentration can change. The lowest concentration is in the morning, and the highest concentration is in the afternoon
  • pregnancy can reduce the number of amino acids
  • some drugs such as bismuth, heparin, steroids, and sulfonamides can increase amino acids
  • while drugs that can reduce amino acids are estrogen and oral contraceptive pills

Pay attention to warnings and precautions before undergoing this treatment. If you have questions, please consult a doctor for further information and instructions.

Process

What should I do before undergoing amino acid?

Before undergoing the test, the doctor will ask questions such as:

  • symptoms of the disease
  • hereditary diseases associated with amino acid abnormalities

Usually, the doctor will tell you to fast for 12 hours before undergoing this test. You are recommended to use short-sleeved clothing to make it easier to take blood samples from your hands.

How is the amino acid process?

The medical personnel who are in charge of taking your blood will take the following steps:

  • wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop the blood flow. This makes the blood vessels under the bond enlarge making it easier to inject needles into the vessels
  • clean the part to be injected with alcohol
  • inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be needed.
  • attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood
  • remove the ties from your arms when taking blood is enough
  • attach gauze or cotton to the injected part, after the injection is finished
  • put pressure on the part and then put on a bandage

If this examination test requires a urine sample, the nurse will instruct you to take urine samples in the morning.

What should I do after undergoing amino acid?

Some people may feel pain when a syringe is inserted into the skin. But for most people, the pain will gradually disappear when the needle is right in the vein. Generally, the level of pain experienced depends on the expertise of the nurse, the condition of the arteries, and a person's sensitivity to pain. After going through the process of taking blood, wrap your hands in a bandage. Press the vein slowly to stop bleeding. After doing the test, you can do activities as usual.

If you have questions about the test process, please consult a doctor for further instructions.

Explanation of Test Results

What do the test results mean?

Normal

The test results will vary depending on the levels of amino acids in the body. Diagnosis without traces of hereditary disease is only given if the results are very abnormal.

Babies and children usually have higher amino acid levels than adults.

Abnormal

Index rises

An increase in amino acid concentration can be caused by:

  • diseases associated with metabolic disorders of certain amino acids (eg phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD))
  • amino acid disease in the blood (eg urinal glutaric acid)
  • amino acid disease in urine (eg homocystinuria)

Index falls

A decrease in amino acid concentration can be caused by:

    • Hartnup disease
    • nephritis
    • nephrotic syndrome

The doctor will explain the results of this test and combine it with the results of other tests to provide a specific diagnosis. You can ask the doctor for more information.

Discuss with your doctor if there are questions about your test results.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Amino Acid
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