Test ID PKUBS Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, Blood Spot
Advisory Information
For follow-up of an abnormal newborn screen for potential phenylketonuria, order PKU / Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, Plasma.
Necessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Submit only 1 of the following specimen types:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Blood spot
Supplies: Card-Blood Spot Collection (Filter Paper) (T493)
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Blood Spot Collection Card
Acceptable: Whatman Protein Saver 903 Paper, Ahlstrom 226 filter paper, Munktell filter paper, or blood collected in tubes containing heparin, ACD or EDTA and dried on filter paper.
Specimen Volume: 2 Blood spots
Collection Instructions:
1. Let blood dry on filter paper at room temperature in a horizontal position for 3 or more hours.
2. At least 2 spots should be complete, ie, unpunched.
3. Do not expose specimen to heat or direct sunlight.
4. Do not stack wet specimens.
5. Keep specimen dry.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 90 days/Refrigerated 90 days/Frozen 90 days
Additional Information:
1. For collection instructions, see Blood Spot Collection Instructions in Special Instructions.
2. For collection instructions in Spanish, see Blood Spot Collection Card-Spanish Instructions (T777) in Special Instructions.
3. For collection instructions in Chinese, see Blood Spot Collection Card-Chinese Instructions (T800) in Special Instructions.
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)
Acceptable: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin) and yellow top (ACD)
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube.
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerate (preferred) 4 days/Ambient 4 days
Useful For
Monitoring effectiveness of dietary therapy in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia
This test is not sufficient for follow-up for abnormal newborn screening results or for establishing a diagnosis of a specific cause of hyperphenylalaninemia
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, BSSpecimen Type
Whole bloodSpecimen Minimum Volume
Blood spots: 1
Whole blood: 0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Whole blood | Varies |
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. 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 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 tetrahydropterine 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 mental retardation 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
PHENYLALANINE
27.0-107.0 nmol/mL
TYROSINE
<4 weeks: 40.0-280.0 nmol/mL
≥4 weeks: 25.0-150.0 nmol/mL
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 information.
A phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio higher than 3 is considered abnormal.
Clinical Reference
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 November 05, 2020. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2709§ionid=2250828252
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 November 05, 2020. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2709§ionid=225081923
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
Analytic Time
3 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84030
84510
82542 (if appropriate for government payers)
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
PKUBS | Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, BS | 79621-9 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
92405 | Phenylalanine, BS | 29573-3 |
92406 | Tyrosine, BS | 35571-9 |
92407 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Inborn Errors of Metabolism Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
mcl-newborn