Comprehensive quantitative profiling of 26 amino acids from a single dried blood spot, serum, or plasma sample. Performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
26 amino acids
3–5 working days
This panel provides a quantitative assessment of 26 amino acids, enabling evaluation of nutritional status, protein metabolism, and detection of metabolic imbalances.
Clinical indications include:
| Analyte / Group | Components | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Essential amino acids | Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine | Cannot be synthesised by the body; must be obtained from diet |
| Conditionally essential | Arginine, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Tyrosine | Required in greater amounts during illness, stress, or growth |
| Non-essential | Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartate, Cysteine, Glutamate, Serine | Synthesised endogenously under normal conditions |
| Neuroactive | GABA, Taurine | Important roles in neurotransmission and cellular osmoregulation |
All 26 amino acids are quantified simultaneously from a single sample using isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS, providing high specificity and minimal matrix interference.
Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins and play critical roles in virtually every biological process. Beyond protein synthesis, they serve as precursors for neurotransmitters, hormones, and other bioactive molecules, and participate in energy metabolism, immune function, and detoxification.
Proteinogenic amino acids forming the basis of all human proteins
Must be obtained through diet as the body cannot synthesise them
Several amino acids serve as neurotransmitters or precursors
The amino acid pool in blood reflects the dynamic balance between dietary protein intake, endogenous protein synthesis and degradation, and amino acid catabolism. Alterations in this balance can indicate nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disorders, organ dysfunction, or catabolic states such as critical illness or post-surgical recovery.
Branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) are particularly important in sports medicine and clinical nutrition, as they play key roles in muscle protein synthesis, energy production during exercise, and regulation of protein turnover.
Amino acid profiling is valuable across multiple clinical contexts. In paediatrics, it supports newborn screening and diagnosis of inherited amino acid disorders such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and maple syrup urine disease. In adult medicine, it aids assessment of hepatic function, renal disease, and nutritional status in malabsorption syndromes.
Amino acid panels typically measure 20+ individual amino acids, each with its own reference range. Masdiag provides individual reference ranges for every amino acid in your report, flagging values that fall outside the expected range so you and your clinician can focus on what matters.
Reference ranges are age- and sex-adjusted. Your report will highlight amino acids outside the expected range with clinical context.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, neurotransmitters, hormones, and enzymes. A comprehensive amino acid profile can reveal nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and functional imbalances that standard blood tests miss:
Amino acid imbalances are typically correctable through dietary changes, targeted supplementation, and addressing underlying absorption issues:
Re-test after 8–12 weeks of targeted dietary or supplement changes to track improvement.
The test is performed using isotope-dilution high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This approach provides simultaneous quantification of all 26 amino acids with high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Isotopically labelled internal standards ensure accurate quantification across the full dynamic range.
This method can be performed on three sample types: dried blood spot (DBS), serum, or plasma, providing flexibility for clinical, research, and remote collection scenarios.
From enquiry to results in a few simple steps — no clinic visit required.
This test is available to healthcare professionals, wellness brands, clinics, and research institutions worldwide. We currently serve partners in:
Whether you need testing services for your patients, white-label kits for your brand, or method transfer to your own laboratory — get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
This test quantifies 26 amino acids from a single dried blood spot, serum, or plasma sample using LC-MS/MS. The panel includes all 9 essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine), conditionally essential amino acids (arginine, glutamine, glycine, proline, tyrosine), non-essential amino acids, and neuroactive compounds including GABA and taurine.
Amino acid profiling identifies deficiencies that can affect muscle protein synthesis, neurotransmitter production, immune function, and energy metabolism. Imbalances may indicate nutritional inadequacy, malabsorption, liver or kidney dysfunction, or inborn errors of metabolism. Testing provides objective data to guide dietary modifications, supplementation strategies, and clinical interventions.
The test can be performed from a finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) or from serum or plasma collected by venepuncture. DBS collection enables convenient at-home sampling without a clinic visit. The sample can be posted to our laboratory by regular mail from anywhere in the world.
Results are typically delivered within 3 to 5 working days from the time your sample arrives at our laboratory. The analysis is performed by LC-MS/MS with isotopically labelled internal standards, providing simultaneous quantification of all 26 amino acids with high specificity and reproducibility.
Athletes optimising muscle recovery and protein intake, vegetarians and vegans checking dietary protein adequacy, patients with chronic fatigue or unexplained muscle weakness, clinicians investigating malabsorption syndromes or inherited metabolic disorders, and researchers in sports nutrition and clinical nutrition all benefit from amino acid profiling. It is also valuable for monitoring parenteral and enteral feeding regimens in clinical settings.
Masdiag's amino acid profile test is available worldwide through our partner network. We currently serve healthcare professionals, wellness brands, and clinics in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Contact us to discuss testing services, white-label kits, or method transfer to your laboratory.
Whether you need testing services, method transfer, or white-label kit development — we'd love to hear from you.