More than building blocks
While amino acids are best known as the components of proteins, their roles extend far beyond structural biology. They serve as precursors for neurotransmitters (tryptophan for serotonin, tyrosine for dopamine), substrates for energy metabolism, regulators of immune function, and indicators of organ health. A comprehensive amino acid profile provides a metabolic snapshot that can reveal nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and functional imbalances.
What a 26-marker panel covers
Masdiag's amino acid panel quantifies 26 individual amino acids from a dried blood spot using LC-MS/MS. This includes all essential amino acids (those the body cannot synthesise), conditionally essential amino acids (those that become essential under certain conditions), and key non-essential amino acids whose levels provide clinical insights.
The panel allows clinicians to assess protein nutrition adequacy, identify specific amino acid deficiencies, evaluate neurotransmitter precursor availability, detect markers of muscle catabolism, and screen for inborn errors of metabolism.
Clinical applications
Amino acid profiling has applications across multiple clinical contexts. In sports and exercise medicine, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) ratios inform training recovery and muscle protein synthesis. In mental health, tryptophan and tyrosine levels relate to serotonin and dopamine synthesis capacity. In metabolic medicine, patterns of amino acid elevations can indicate liver dysfunction, renal impairment, or inherited metabolic conditions.
For nutritionists and dietitians, the profile provides objective evidence of dietary protein quality — particularly valuable for patients on plant-based diets, those with malabsorption, or older adults at risk of sarcopenia.
Why DBS works for amino acids
Amino acid analysis from dried blood spots offers practical advantages for remote and longitudinal testing. Samples are stable during postal transit, and the LC-MS/MS methodology achieves the sensitivity and specificity required for accurate quantification of all 26 analytes from a single spot. This makes serial monitoring — tracking changes over weeks or months in response to dietary or supplementation interventions — practical outside a clinical setting.
Frequently asked questions
What is an amino acid profile test?
An amino acid profile measures 26 individual amino acids from a blood sample using LC-MS/MS. The test quantifies essential amino acids (those required from diet), conditionally essential amino acids (those needed under specific conditions), and key non-essential amino acids whose levels provide clinical insights. Results reveal nutritional status, metabolic function, and markers of various health conditions.
Why would a doctor order an amino acid test?
Amino acid testing is ordered to assess protein nutritional status, screen for inborn errors of amino acid metabolism, investigate elevated ammonia or other metabolic abnormalities, evaluate neurotransmitter precursor availability (tryptophan for serotonin, tyrosine for dopamine), detect muscle catabolism or sarcopenia, and optimise sports nutrition in athletes. It's also valuable for assessing dietary adequacy in populations on restrictive diets.
Can you test amino acids at home?
Yes. Dried blood spot collection enables at-home testing with a simple fingerprick. The card is mailed to an accredited laboratory where LC-MS/MS analysis provides the same quality results as venous collection. This makes amino acid profiling practical for longitudinal monitoring, nutritional assessment, and remote clinical programmes.
Explore This Test
View the full method details, sample requirements, and analyte panel for our Amino Acids test.
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