How to Test for Serum Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid produced in the body that has multiple functions such as calcium absorption, muscle repair and growth and production of hormones, enzymes and antibodies. It also acts as a depressant on the nervous system and contains anti-seizure properties. A urine amino acid test or a plasma amino acid test can measure the levels of all amino acids in your body and determine whether you have an imbalance. Normal lysine levels in children should be 19 to 140 micromol/dL while adults should be 32 to 290 micromol/dL. This test must be ordered by a medical professional and can be taken either in a clinic office or an outpatient laboratory.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile urine collection container

Show More

Instructions

Submitting the samples and understanding the results

• 1

  Collect a urine sample by following the clean-catch urine sample protocol. This calls for the patient to first clean the genital area to avoid bacterial contamination from the skin. Then a small amount of urine should be expelled in order to clear the urethra of contaminants. Place the collection cup under the stream of urine and collect at least 1 to 2 oz. of urine. Finish urinating and then tightly twist the collection cap and wipe the outside of the container. Give the sample to the health-care provider as directed.

• 2

  Submit a plasma amino acid test by having a health-care professional obtain a blood sample, usually a venipuncture procedure, and submit it to a laboratory. A needle will be inserted into your vein, usually inside the crook of your elbow, and a blood sample will be collected into a vacutainer for processing. This test can also be performed on infants by collecting a "heel stick" sample, which means that a small puncture is made on the infant's heel and blood is collected with a small glass pipette and transferred to a microscope slide.

• 3

  Contact your health-care professional to receive the test results and find out if any follow-up care or medications are necessary. Amino acids that are out of balance can be an indicator of several different types of conditions, including autoimmune disorders, metabolic disorders, ketoacidosis from diabetes, malnutrition or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it is important to follow your health care professional's guidance on how to manage these diseases.