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Aminoaciduria

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Definition:

Aminoaciduria is an abnormal amount of amino acids in the urine. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins in the body.

This article discusses the test used to look for increased amounts of amino acids in the urine.

See also:

• Amino acids blood test
• Inborn errors of metabolism

Alternative Names:

Amino acids - urine; Urine amino acids

How the test is performed:

A clean-catch urine sample is needed. This is often done at your doctor's office or health clinic.

How to prepare for the test:

No special preparations are necessary. Make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines you or your child are taking or have recently used. If this test is being done on an infant who is breast-feeding, make sure the health care provider knows what medicines the nursing mother is taking.

How the test will feel:

The test involves only normal urination.

Why the test is performed:

This test is done to measure amino acid levels in the urine. There are many different types of amino acids. It is common for some of each kind to be found in the urine, but increased levels of individual amino acids can be a sign of an inborn error of metabolism .

• Review Date: 5/25/2007
• Reviewed By: Daniel R Alexander, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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