Amino Acid Analysis Blood Test, LC/MS

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The Amino Acid Analysis Blood Test, LC/MS, detects 34 different amino acids in the blood and helps diagnose various inborn errors in metabolism.

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Quick Facts

Sample: Blood (serum or plasma)
Fasting: 8–12 hours recommended
Turn-around: 6–8 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.

Benefits

Precision metabolic insights – LC/MS technology measures 34+ amino acids with <15% variation (PubMed Central 2019)
Early disorder detection – identifies inborn errors of metabolism affecting over 70 known conditions
Personalized nutrition guidance – reveals deficiencies to optimize your diet and supplement strategy
Convenient home collection – order online, collect locally, receive results confidentially
Comprehensive health monitoring – tracks treatment effectiveness and long-term metabolic wellness

Who Is This Test For?

Individuals with unexplained fatigue, developmental delays, or failure to thrive
Parents screening infants or children for inherited metabolic disorders
People managing liver disease, renal disorders, or chronic nutritional concerns
Health-conscious adults optimizing metabolic function and preventing disease
Anyone experiencing involuntary weight loss, hypoglycemia, or gastrointestinal issues

How It Works – Just 3 Steps

Order online — Select your test and complete your purchase through our secure platform
Visit a lab — Get your blood drawn at a convenient local collection site near you
Receive results — Access your confidential results within 6-8 business days in your online account.

FAQ

What does this test measure? It quantifies 34 amino acids, including essential, non-essential, and rare metabolic markers, using advanced LC/MS technology.

Do I need a doctor's order? No. This direct-access test allows you to order independently and share results with your provider.

How accurate is LC/MS analysis? Studies show near 100% accuracy for key amino acids with excellent reproducibility (PubMed Central 2019).

Can this diagnose specific metabolic disorders? Yes. Abnormal patterns help identify conditions like phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, and homocystinuria.

What if my results are abnormal? Consult a metabolic specialist or healthcare provider for clinical interpretation and treatment planning.

More Details

What is the purpose of this test?

This Amino Acid Analysis Blood Test uses Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) to measure concentrations of 34 amino acids in your blood with exceptional precision. Amino acids are organic compounds essential for digestion, energy production, protein synthesis, neurotransmitter function, and hormone regulation. By analyzing amino acid patterns, this test helps diagnose over 70 inherited metabolic disorders, assess nutritional status, monitor chronic diseases, and guide personalized dietary and supplement interventions (NIH 2023). LC/MS technology is the gold standard in newborn screening programs, diagnosing metabolic disorders in infants worldwide (CDC 2025).

This Amino Acid Analysis Blood Test, LC/MS, includes the following:

1-Methylhistidine | 3-Methylhistidine
Alanine | Alpha-Amino Adipic Acid | Alpha-Amino Butyric Acid |Arginine | Asparagine | Aspartic Acid
Beta-Alanine | Beta-Amino Isobutyric Acid
Citrulline | Cystathionine
Ethanolamine
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid | Glutamic Acid (Glutamate) | Glutamine | Glycine
Histidine | Homocysteine | Hydroxyproline
Isoleucine
Leucine | Lysine
Methionine
Ornithine
Phenylalanine | Proline
Sarcosine | Serine
Taurine | Threonine | Tryptophan | Tyrosine
Valine

Who would benefit from this test?

This test is valuable for patients with suspected inborn errors of metabolism such as phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, citrullinemia, non-ketotic hyperglycinemia, maple syrup urine disease, or homocystinuria. It also benefits individuals experiencing unexplained symptoms like stunted growth, developmental delays, involuntary weight loss, persistent fatigue, seizures, or liver dysfunction. Health-conscious adults seeking detailed metabolic insights for prevention and optimization will find this comprehensive panel useful. Healthcare providers may order this test to diagnose primary aminoacidopathies, screen for secondary aminoacidopathies associated with liver or kidney disease, monitor treatment effectiveness, or evaluate nutritional deficiencies in older adults or those with gastrointestinal disorders.

When should I order this test?

Order this test if you or your child experience symptoms suggesting metabolic imbalance, including failure to gain weight, stunted growth, developmental delays, unexplained fatigue, hypoglycemia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, acidic blood, liver disorders, or seizures. Consider testing for wellness tracking if you have a family history of metabolic disorders, follow restrictive diets, manage chronic health conditions, or want to optimize your metabolic and nutritional status. Early screening is especially important for newborns and infants showing signs of inherited metabolic disease (CDC 2025).

How do I interpret the results?

Your results compare each amino acid concentration to age- and population-specific reference ranges. Deviations from normal ranges suggest metabolic or nutritional abnormalities requiring clinical evaluation. Below is a general interpretation guide:

Elevated single amino acid

Meaning: Possible inherited aminoacidopathy or enzyme deficiency
Action: Consult metabolic specialist; confirmatory genetic testing

Multiple elevated amino acids

Meaning: May indicate liver disease, renal disorder, or Fanconi syndrome
Action: Evaluate organ function; address underlying condition

Decreased amino acids

Meaning: Suggests malnutrition or inadequate protein intake
Action: Adjust diet; consider protein supplementation

Normal ranges

Meaning: Healthy amino acid metabolism and nutritional status
Action: Maintain balanced diet; retest periodically

Early detection of amino acid imbalances reduces morbidity and significantly improves outcomes in metabolic diseases (NIH 2023).

Pre-test preparation

Fast for 8-12 hours before blood collection to minimize dietary fluctuations in amino acid levels. Drink water freely during the fasting period. Inform the collection site of any medications or supplements you take, as some may affect amino acid concentrations. Avoid strenuous exercise on the day of testing, which can temporarily alter amino acid patterns. If you cannot fast due to medical reasons, note this when ordering and discuss timing with your healthcare provider.

How often should I get tested?

Diagnosed metabolic disorder on treatment: Every 3–6 months or as directed by specialist
Monitoring nutritional deficiencies: Every 6–12 months during intervention
Chronic liver or kidney disease: Annually or per physician recommendation
General wellness and prevention: Every 1–2 years for baseline tracking
Family history of metabolic disorders: Baseline test, then as symptoms arise

Why early detection matters

More than 70 disorders of amino acid metabolism exist, and their clinical manifestations are diverse and often severe if untreated. Early identification through amino acid profiling enables timely dietary modifications, enzyme replacement therapies, or other interventions that prevent irreversible developmental damage, organ dysfunction, and life-threatening complications. LC/MS-based amino acid analysis is standard in newborn screening panels worldwide, diagnosing over 40 inherited disorders and saving countless lives through prompt treatment (CDC 2025). For adults, detecting amino acid imbalances early supports proactive management of chronic diseases, nutritional optimization, and improved quality of life.