Proteins & Amino Acids

Albumin is a protein produced by the liver that helps maintain fluid balance and transports substances in the blood. Measuring albumin levels provides insight into liver function, kidney health, and nutritional status.

Urine albumin measures the amount of the protein albumin in a urine sample. It is a key test for early detection of kidney damage, especially in individuals with diabetes or hypertension.

Measures the percentage of albumin in total serum protein, aiding evaluation of liver, kidney, and nutritional status.

Ratio of albumin in cerebrospinal fluid to serum, used to detect blood-brain barrier dysfunction in neurological diseases.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protein mainly produced in the liver that protects the lungs from enzyme damage and helps control inflammation.

Alpha-2-globulin is a group of proteins in the blood that includes carriers for hormones and enzymes, as well as acute-phase reactants involved in inflammation.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the fetal liver. In adults, it serves as a tumor marker for liver and germ cell cancers and is used in prenatal screening.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Its levels rise quickly during infection, trauma, or chronic inflammatory diseases.

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in protein synthesis, the urea cycle, and nitric oxide production. It is measured in blood to assess amino acid metabolism and related disorders.

Asparagine is a non-essential amino acid involved in protein synthesis and glycoprotein production. It is measured in plasma amino acid profiles to detect metabolic disorders.

Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid that plays a role in the urea cycle, gluconeogenesis, and neurotransmission. It is measured in amino acid profiles to assess metabolic disorders.

Beta-2 Microglobulin is a small protein found on cell surfaces that is filtered by the kidneys. Measuring it in blood or urine helps evaluate kidney function and detect certain cancers like lymphomas.

Beta-globulins are a group of blood proteins involved in transporting lipids, iron, and other molecules, as well as immune defense and inflammation.

Fecal calprotectin is a protein released by white blood cells during intestinal inflammation; it helps distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome.

A dipeptide made of beta-alanine and histidine, measured rarely in blood or urine to assess metabolic disorders or deficiency.

Citrulline is a non-protein amino acid produced by the intestine and liver. Plasma citrulline measurement helps evaluate urea cycle function and intestinal health.

D-dimer is a protein fragment produced when a blood clot dissolves. It is used to help rule out conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) is a substance released by activated eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. It is measured as a marker of eosinophil activation in allergic and inflammatory conditions.

Gamma globulin is a group of blood proteins primarily consisting of immunoglobulins (antibodies). Measured via serum protein electrophoresis, it reflects the body’s humoral immune status.

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood, playing a key role in nitrogen transport and cell energy. Levels are measured to monitor metabolic stress, liver function, and nutritional status.

Glycine is the simplest amino acid, involved in protein synthesis, neurotransmission, and detoxification. This test measures glycine levels in blood or urine to evaluate amino acid metabolism.

Histidine is an amino acid needed for growth, tissue repair, and histamine production. It is measured in blood to assess nutritional status and detect rare metabolic disorders.

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced during the breakdown of methionine. Its levels are measured to evaluate cardiovascular risk and vitamin B12/folate status.

IGFBP-3 is the main carrier protein for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and reflects growth hormone production.

Isoleucine is an essential amino acid involved in muscle repair, energy production, and blood sugar regulation; it is measured to assess metabolic and nutritional status.

Leucine is an essential amino acid crucial for muscle protein synthesis and repair. It is measured as part of amino acid profiles to evaluate nutritional status or investigate metabolic conditions like maple syrup urine disease.

M-protein (paraprotein) is an abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin fragment produced by a single clone of plasma cells. Its detection in serum electrophoresis or immunofixation is key for diagnosing and monitoring plasma cell disorders.

Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid important for protein synthesis, methylation reactions, and the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Blood levels are measured to screen for metabolic disorders.

Ornithine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that plays a key role in the urea cycle, helping the body eliminate toxic ammonia. It is measured in blood to assess liver function and urea cycle disorders.

Osteocalcin is a protein produced by osteoblasts that plays a key role in bone mineralization and is used as a marker of bone formation.

p-Cresyl sulfate (pCS) is a protein-bound uremic toxin produced by gut bacteria from dietary amino acids. It is measured to assess accumulation in chronic kidney disease and associated cardiovascular risk.

Phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) is a metabolite formed during ammonia detoxification. It is measured in blood or urine to evaluate liver function and nitrogen balance.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid needed for protein synthesis and neurotransmitter production. Blood phenylalanine levels are used to diagnose and monitor phenylketonuria (PKU) and other metabolic conditions.

Procollagen Type III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) is a marker of collagen type III synthesis. It is used to assess fibrotic processes, especially in the liver and lungs.

Proline is a proteinogenic amino acid and a key component of collagen, essential for structural protein stability and tissue repair.

Total protein is a blood test measuring the combined amount of albumin and globulins, which are essential for many body functions including immunity, nutrient transport, and fluid balance.

Serine is a non-essential amino acid measured in plasma, often as part of amino acid panels. It plays roles in protein building, neurotransmitter synthesis, and fat metabolism.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid measured in EDTA plasma, used to assess metabolic status and nutritional health.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins and is a precursor for important substances such as dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, thyroid hormones, and melanin.

Valine is an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that the body must obtain from food. This test measures valine levels in the blood, often used to screen for metabolic disorders like maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) or to assess nutritional status.