Amino Acids Test

Amino acids keep our body functioning. They help build and repair muscle tissue, transport nutrients throughout the body, can help prevent illness and many other important things. Each amino acid plays it's own important role in the body from cognitive/neurological function to hormone production and wound healing.

There are 22 amino acids that regularly work in the human body for protein synthesis or to provide energy for the body. Some of the amino acids must be obtained through your diet. These are considered essential amino acids. These include: Methionine, Lysine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Taurine, Cysteine, Arginine, and HIstidine.

The other amino acids, our body synthesizes and are not specifically obtained through your diet. These are considered non-essential amino acids. These include: Alanine, Aspartate, Asparagine, Glutamine, Glutamate, Cystine, Glycine, Tyrosine, Serine, and Proline.

Both essential and non-essential amino acids are needed by the body. An imbalance in any of the amino acids may cause or be an underlying cause to a variety of medical conditions. These are some examples of specific amino acids and what they aid the body in and what an imbalance may lead to.

• Tryptophan: Aids in the production of serotonin and melatonin that helps regulate sleep, mood, pain and appetite. Deficiency may cause skin rashes, digestive issues or dementia.
• Phenylalanine: Aids the body in using other amino acids, proteins and nutrients. Phenylalanine may be converted into tyrosine, which aids in brain function. Deficiency in this amino acid is rare, but it may cause fatigue or memory problems.
• Leucine: Aids the body in regulating blood sugar levels, growth and repair of muscle and bone, as well as growth hormone production. Deficiency may cause skin rashes, fatigue or hair loss. 
• Isoleucine: Aids the body in wound healing, hormone production, regulating blood sugar and immunity. Deficiency may cause muscle deterioration, weakness and shaking.
• Valine: Aid the body in mental focus and muscle coordination. Deficiency may cause a reduction in mental function or insomnia.
• Histidine: Aid the body with growth and creation of blood cells, maintains the myelin sheath ( protective covering over nerve cells). Histidine gets metabolized by the body into histamine which aids the body in immunity, digestion and reproductive health. Deficiency may cause anemia, arthritis or kidney disorders.

This test kit will be mailed to you via USPS. You will receive a urine collection cup and red specimen vial, as well as other materials in the test kit. Please review all instructions prior to performing this test. Kits should be shipped back to the laboratory in the enclosed packaging. Results take 2 weeks upon receipt of the specimen by the laboratory.

*Discontinue any amino acid supplements 48 hours prior to collection. The test requires no special diet but if you are taking antibiotic medications, please finish the course of medication, and then wait 48 hours before starting collection. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.

TEST KIT REFUND POLICY- Kits can be cancelled anytime prior to sending the specimen to the lab.  There is a $25 fee to cover the kit costs and shipping. So a full refund is minus $25.

TEST COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS PDF

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Jun 26, 2020