Medical Health Encyclopedia

Plasma amino acids


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Amino acids
Amino acids
Overview Results Risks Prevention
Alternative Names

Amino acids - plasma


Normal Values
  • Alanine
    • Children: 200 to 450
    • Adults: 230 to 510
  • Alpha-aminoadipic acid
    • Children: not measured
    • Adults: not measured
  • Alpha-amino-N-butyric acid
    • Children: 8 to 37
    • Adults: 15 to 41
  • Arginine
    • Children: 44 to 120
    • Adults: 13 to 64
  • Asparagine
    • Children: 15 to 40
    • Adults: 45 to 130
  • Aspartic acid
    • Children: 0 to 26
    • Adults: 0 to 6
  • Beta-alanine
    • Children: 0 to 49
    • Adults: 0 to 29
  • Beta-amino-isobutyric acid
    • Children: not measured
    • Adults: not measured
  • Carnosine
    • Children: not measured
    • Adults: not measured
  • Citrulline
    • Children: 16 to 32
    • Adults: 16 to 55
  • Cystine
    • Children: 19 to 47
    • Adults: 30 to 65
  • Glutamic acid
    • Children: 32 to 140
    • Adults: 18 to 98
  • Glutamine
    • Children: 420 to 730
    • Adults: 390 to 650
  • Glycine
    • Children: 110 to 240
    • Adults: 170 to 330
  • Histidine
    • Children: 68 to 120
    • Adults: 26 to 120
  • Hydroxyproline
    • Children: 0 to 5
    • Adults: not measured
  • Isoleucine
    • Children: 37 to 140
    • Adults: 42 to 100
  • Leucine
    • Children: 70 to 170
    • Adults: 66 to 170
  • Lysine
    • Children: 120 to 290
    • Adults: 150 to 220
  • Methionine
    • Children: 13 to 30
    • Adults: 16 to 30
  • 1-methylhistidine
    • Children: not measured
    • Adults: not measured
  • 3-methylhistidine
    • Children: 0 to 52
    • Adults: 0 to 64
  • Ornithine
    • Children: 44 to 90
    • Adults: 27 to 80
  • Phenylalanine
    • Children: 26 to 86
    • Adults: 41 to 68
  • Phosphoserine
    • Children: 0 to 12
    • Adults: 0 to 12
  • Phosphoethanolamine
    • Children: 0 to 12
    • Adults: 0 to 55
  • Proline
    • Children: 130 to 290
    • Adults: 110 to 360
  • Serine
    • Children: 93 to 150
    • Adults: 56 to 140
  • Taurine
    • Children: 11 to 120
    • Adults: 45 to 130
  • Threonine
    • Children: 67 to 150
    • Adults: 92 to 240
  • Tyrosine
    • Children: 26 to 110
    • Adults: 45 to 74
  • Valine
    • Children: 160 to 350
    • Adults: 150 to 310



Note: all measurements in micro mole per liter (micro mol/L). The normal range of values may vary between different laboratories, and the laboratory performing the test should therefore be consulted in interpretation of the test result.


What abnormal results mean

An elevated level of a particular amino acid is highly suggestive of an inherited defect in metabolism of that amino acid. The test for an individual amino acid may also be used for following the effectiveness of a particular treatment.

If the total amino acid level is elevated, several diseases or conditions may be the cause:

If the total amino level is decreased, the following conditions may be responsible:



Review Date: 04/29/2005
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laborartory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Special Offers
Find a Therapist
PR Newswire