Sign in →

Test Code PKU Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, Plasma

Reporting Name

Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, P

Useful For

Monitoring effectiveness of dietary therapy in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Plasma


Necessary Information


1. Patient's age is required.

2. Include family history, clinical condition (asymptomatic or acute episode), diet, and drug therapy information.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Patient should fast overnight (8-12 hour fast); infants should have specimen collected before next feeding (4 hour fast)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (Sodium heparin)

Acceptable: Green top (Lithium heparin), lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.

2. Send plasma frozen.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma Frozen (preferred) 14 days
  Refrigerated  14 days

Reference Values

PHENYLALANINE

Premature: 98-213 nmol/mL

0-31 days: 38-137 nmol/mL

1-24 months: 31-75 nmol/mL

2-18 years: 26-91 nmol/mL

≥19 years: 35-85 nmol/mL

 

Conversion Formulas:

Result in mg/dL x 60.5=result in nmol/mL

Result in nmol/mL x 0.0165=result in mg/dL

 

TYROSINE

Premature: 147-420 nmol/mL

0-31 days: 55-147 nmol/mL

1-24 months: 22-108 nmol/mL

2-18 years: 24-115 nmol/mL

≥19 years: 34-112 nmol/mL

 

Conversion Formulas:

Result in mg/dL x 55.2=result in nmol/mL

Result in nmol/mL x 0.0181=result in mg/dL

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

84030 Phenylalanine

84510 Tyrosine

82542 (if appropriate for government payers)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PKU Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, P 101402-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8380 Phenylalanine, P 14875-9
8627 Tyrosine, P 20660-7

Clinical Information

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most frequent inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism (about 1:10,000-1:15,000) and was the first successfully treated inborn error of metabolism. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by a defect in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), which converts the essential amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine. Deficiency of PAH results in decreased levels of tyrosine and an accumulation of phenylalanine in blood and tissues. If left untreated, PKU leads to severe brain damage with intellectual impairment, behavior abnormalities, seizures, and spasticity. The level of enzyme activity differentiates classic PKU (PAH activity <1%) from other milder forms; however, all are characterized by increased levels of phenylalanine (hyperphenylalaninemia). Treatment includes the early introduction of a diet low in phenylalanine.

 

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a cofactor of PAH as well as tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase. Approximately 2% of patients with hyperphenylalaninemia have a deficiency of BH4, which causes a secondary deficit of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. There are 4 autosomal recessive disorders associated with BH4 deficiency plus hyperphenylalaninemia: guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase deficiency; 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency; dihydropteridine reductase deficiency; and pterin-4 alpha carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) deficiency. This group of disorders, with the exception of PCD, is characterized by progressive dystonia, truncal hypotonia, extremity hypertonia, seizures, and intellectual disability though milder presentations exist. PCD has no symptoms other than transient alterations in tone. Treatment may include administration of BH4, L-dopa (and carbidopa) 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements, and a low phenylalanine diet.

 

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid, which is derived from dietary sources, the hydroxylation of phenylalanine, or protein breakdown. Primary PKU and secondary (defects of BH4 metabolism) hyperphenylalaninemia can cause abnormally low levels of tyrosine. Measurement of the phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio is helpful in monitoring appropriate dietary intake.

Interpretation

The quantitative results of phenylalanine and tyrosine with age-dependent reference values are reported without added interpretation. When applicable, reports of abnormal results may contain an interpretation based on available clinical interpretation.

 

A phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio higher than 3 is considered abnormal.

Method Description

This method quantifies phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) using stable isotope-labeled internal standards (IS): d5-Phe and d4-Tyr. Phe and Tyr are extracted from plasma. The supernatant is diluted and then introduced into the tandem mass spectrometer. The concentration of Phe and Tyr are established by comparison of the ion intensity with that of the IS.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)