Amino Acids, Quantitative CSF

Synonyms: AA, Alpha- amino acids, cerebral spinal fluid.

Hermann Test Code: 16-00020 = Amino Acids, Quantitative CSF

CPT Code(s): 82130 = Amino Acids

Specimen Requirement: Collect sample in early afternoon.

Container:
Hermann Hospital - 1 ml of CSF, min. vol. 0.5 ml, transport to lab immediately.
Outpatient - Transfer 1 ml of spinal fluid to a plastic vial and freeze.

Transport: Keep frozen on dry ice.

Patient Preparation: Fast for 8 hrs.

Test Availability: Test run Mon. - Fri.;Results available in 4 days.

Methodology:

Liquid chromatography on an amino acid analyzer. Individual amino acids are quantified.

Clinical Utilization:

Diagnosis or evaluation of genetic diseases that lead to amino acid disorders.

Reference Range(s): See individual report.

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Interpretation:

Amino acid levels are highest in midafternoon and lowest in early morning (30% less).

• Increase - Specific aminoacidurias (PKU, maple sugar urine disease, urea cycle disease, etc.), diabetes mellitus with ketosis, malabsorption, hereditary fructose intolerance, conditions with severe liver damage, Reye syndrome, renal failure and eclampsia.
• Decrease - Phlebotomus fever, adrenocortical hyperfunction, Huntington's chorea, nephrotic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Hartnup disease.

Interfering Substances:

• Increase - Bismuth salts, glucocorticoids, levarterenol, 11-oxysteroids, testosterone, heparin, sulfonamide and hemolysis.
• Decrease - Estrogens, epinephrine, glucose, oral contraceptives and progesterone.

Sensitivity & Specificity: None Listed.

Literature:
Bakerman, S., ABC's of Interpretative Laboratory Data, 2nd ed. Interpretative Laboratory Data Inc, Greenville N.C. 1984.
Tietz, N.W., Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia Pa. 1990.

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