Lab Information Manual

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry (METABOLIC)

Test Name:

AMINO ACIDS, QUANTITATIVE - (P)

Test Code: AAQP

Clinical Information:

Test Indications:

Evaluation of patients with suspected inborn errors of amino acid metabolism.

Monitoring patients with aminoacidopathies.

Patient preparation instructions:

Fasting: 4 hours, required;

infants should have specimen collected before next feeding (2-3 hours without total parenteral nutrition if possible)

Collection Devices:

Preferred Device:	1 - Li Heparin, NO GEL 4.0 mL Tube(s) - Full Tube Collection Li Heparin, NO GEL 4.0 mL Tube(s) - Full Tube Collection Manufacturer: BD (Becton Dickinson) Catalogue #: 367884
Alternate Device:	1 - Microtainer(s) - EDTA, NO GEL (0.5 mL) to fill line Microtainer(s) - EDTA, NO GEL (0.5 mL) to fill line Manufacturer: Becton Dickinson & Company Catalogue #: 363706

Lithium Heparin, Na Heparin or EDTA with or without barrier gel tube(s) also acceptable.

Specimen Required:

Plasma: 1.0 mL

Pediatric Plasma: 0.25 mL

Collect on ICE. Separate from cells within 2 hours, aliquot and freeze immediately.

Record “Time of Last Feed” in Clinical Detail upon registration.

Specimen Stability:

Ambient: Not stable

Refrigerated: 4 hours (excluding thiol-containing amino acids)

Frozen: 14 days at -20C or 60 days at -80C

Referral:

Store and ship frozen. Thawed samples are not suitable for testing.

Send specimen to Health Sciences Centre – MS5 (Biochemical Genetics)

Requisition:

Reference Values:

A descriptive report will be sent.

Method of Analysis: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Availability:

Within 1 Week