Amino Acids (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Refer to Testing Lab link

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

AMIN

Test Code (Numeric Code)

7109

Synonyms

Plasma aminoacids,
Branched amino acids

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Plain (Red Top)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Collection instructions:
A urine sample must first be sent for initial screening

1 mL blood in a heparin tube preferred. Send on ice to the laboratory immediately as some amino acids are labile.
A brief clinical history is essential.
If free homocystine or cystine is required sample MUST go on ice immediately to lab.
For routine analysis a sample sent immediately at room temperature to the laboratory is acceptable. Samples need to be spun, separated and frozen within an hour of collection.

Laboratory instruction:
Separated and frozen preferably within one hour of collection (no later than 2 hours)

Centrifuge immediately at 4’C.
Separate off 0.2 mL heparin plasma.
FREEZE plasma at - 80’C immediately. transport FROZEN.

Contact Information