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Test Code TRYPU Tryptophan, Random, Urine

Reporting Name

Tryptophan, U

Useful For

Aiding in the screening and monitoring of Hartnup disease

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Ordering Guidance


Other body fluids are not acceptable specimens for this test. For testing spinal fluid specimens, order AACSF / Amino Acids, Quantitative, Spinal Fluid.

 

Testing for tryptophan using plasma specimens is available; order TRYPP / Tryptophan, 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


Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: Collect a random urine specimen.


Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Frozen (preferred) 70 days
  Refrigerated  14 days

Reference Values

<2 months: <241 nmol/mg creatinine

2-35 months: <329 nmol/mg creatinine

3-6 years: <222 nmol/mg creatinine

7-17 years: <218 nmol/mg creatinine

≥18 years: <140 nmol/mg creatinine

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

82131

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
TRYPU Tryptophan, U 28608-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
83823 Tryptophan, U 28608-8
34618 Interpretation (TRYPU) 59462-2
113131 Reviewed By 18771-6

Clinical Information

Amino acids are the basic units that make up proteins and are crucial to virtually all metabolic processes in the body. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid necessary for the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, and niacin.

 

Hartnup disease is a rare, usually benign, autosomal recessive disorder of renal and intestinal neutral amino acid transport. Reduced intestinal absorption of tryptophan and subsequent loss in the urine lead to a reduction of available tryptophan for the synthesis of niacin. The clinical features associated with Hartnup disease include an erythematous skin rash on exposed surfaces that is identical to the rash seen in pellagra (niacin deficiency) and cerebral ataxia. Biochemically, it is characterized by increased renal excretion of tryptophan and other neutral amino acids. Newborn screening studies reveal that most affected individuals remain asymptomatic, suggesting that clinical expression of symptoms is dependent on additional genetic or environmental factors (ie, multifactorial disease).

Interpretation

If the result is within the respective age-matched reference range, no interpretation is provided. When an abnormal result is reported, an interpretation may be added, including a correlation to available clinical information and recommendations for additional biochemical testing, if applicable.

Cautions

Abnormal urine concentrations of tryptophan are not diagnostic for a specific disorder and must be interpreted in the context of a patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory results.

Report Available

3 to 5 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

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