Test Id : PKUSC
Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, Self-Collect, Blood Spot
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring effectiveness of therapy in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia in a patient-collected specimen
This test is not sufficient for follow-up for abnormal newborn screening results or for establishing a diagnosis of a specific cause of hyperphenylalaninemia.
Genetics Test Information
Provides information that may help with selection of the correct genetic test or proper submission of the test request
This test is intended for monitoring effectiveness of therapy for patients with hyperphenylalaninemia.
This test does not provide sufficient follow-up for abnormal newborn screening results because other causes of hyperphenylalaninemia (eg, tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency) cannot be excluded by this test alone.
Highlights
Blood spot specimens for this test are self-collected by the patient to send directly to Mayo Clinic Laboratories via supplied collection kit. For more information, see Specimen Required.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Hyperphenylalaninemia
Phe:Tyr
Phenylalanine Includes Tyrosine
PKU (Phenylketonuria)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Whole blood
Ordering Guidance
For follow-up of an abnormal newborn screen for potential phenylketonuria, order PKU / Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, Plasma
Necessary Information
1. Patient's age is required.
2. Patient's street address, city, state, ZIP (postal) code, country, and home phone are required (post-office [PO] boxes are not acceptable delivery locations).
ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| Question ID | Description | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| BG735 | Patient Street Address (No PO Box) | |
| BG736 | Patient City | |
| BG737 | Patient State | |
| BG738 | Patient Zip Code | |
| BG742 | Patient Country | |
| BG739 | Patient Home Phone |
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Supplies: Blood Spot Collection-Self Collect (T858)
Container/Tube: Blood Spot Self Collection Card
Specimen Volume: 2 Blood spots
Additional Information:
1. Order test each time the patient is to collect a dried blood specimen at home and mail the specimen directly to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.
2. Order should be placed a minimum of 3 days prior to desired date of collection.
3. Enter patient's address information for each order created, including street address (post office [PO] boxes are not acceptable delivery locations), city, state abbreviation, zip code, country, and home phone number.
4. For each order, the Blood Spot Collection-Self Collect kit will be mailed directly to the patient for self-collection (delivery to a PO box will not occur).
5. For more information on how to collect blood spots, see the following
-How to Collect Dried Blood Spot Samples via fingerstick.
Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
1 Blood spot
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Blood spot specimen that shows serum rings or has multiple layers | Reject |
| Insufficient specimen | Reject |
| Unapproved filter papers | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Ambient (preferred) | 90 days | FILTER PAPER |
| Refrigerated | 90 days | FILTER PAPER | |
| Frozen | 90 days | FILTER PAPER |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring effectiveness of therapy in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia in a patient-collected specimen
This test is not sufficient for follow-up for abnormal newborn screening results or for establishing a diagnosis of a specific cause of hyperphenylalaninemia.
Genetics Test Information
Provides information that may help with selection of the correct genetic test or proper submission of the test request
This test is intended for monitoring effectiveness of therapy for patients with hyperphenylalaninemia.
This test does not provide sufficient follow-up for abnormal newborn screening results because other causes of hyperphenylalaninemia (eg, tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency) cannot be excluded by this test alone.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most frequent inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism (occurring in about 1:10,000-1:15,000 births) 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. 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. Some patients may also benefit from adjuvant tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) supplementation (a cofactor for PAH) or enzyme substitution therapy.
BH4 is a cofactor of not only PAH but also of the tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases. 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, except for 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 that 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.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
PHENYLALANINE:
27-107 nmol/mL
TYROSINE
<4 weeks: 40-280 nmol/mL
> or =4 weeks: 25-150 nmol/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
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 information.
A phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio higher than 3 is considered abnormal.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Mitchell GA, Grompe M, Lambert M, Tanguay RM. Hypertyrosinemia. In: Valle DL, Antonarakis S, Ballabio A, Beaudet AL, Mitchell GA, eds. The Online Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease. McGraw Hill; 2019. Accessed December 26, 2023. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2709§ionid=225082825
2. Donlon J, Sarkissian C, Levy H, Scriver CR, Hyperphenylalaninemia. Phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. In: Valle DL, Antonarakis S, Ballabio A, Beaudet AL, Mitchell GA, eds. The Online Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease. McGraw-Hill; 2019. Accessed December 26, 2023. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2709§ionid=225081923
3. Regier DS, Greene CL. Phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al, eds. GeneReviews [Internet]. University of Washington, Seattle; 2000. Updated January 5, 2017. Accessed December 26, 2023. Available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1504/
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
A 3-mm disk is punched out of the dried blood spot onto a 96-well plate. The amino acids are extracted by the addition of acetonitrile and known concentrations of isotopically labeled amino acids as internal standards. The extract is moved to another 96-well plate, dried under a stream of nitrogen, and derivatized by the addition of n-butanol hydrochloric acid. Analytes are measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The concentrations of the phenylalanine and tyrosine are established by computerized comparison of ion intensities of these analytes to that of the respective internal standards.(Unpublished Mayo method)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Friday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
0382U
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PKUSC | Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, SC, BS | 79621-9 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| 610515 | Tyrosine, BS | 35571-9 |
| 610516 | Phenylalanine, BS | 29573-3 |
| 610514 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |
| BG735 | Patient Street Address (No PO Box) | 56799-0 |
| BG736 | Patient City | 68997-6 |
| BG737 | Patient State | 46499-0 |
| BG738 | Patient Zip Code | 45401-7 |
| BG742 | Patient Country | 77983-5 |
| BG739 | Patient Home Phone | 42077-8 |