A complete urinary amino acid (AA) analysis can be performed whenever a thorough nutritional and metabolic workup is called for. The test provides fundamental information about nutrient adequacy, including the quality and quantity of dietary protein, digestive disorders, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies—particularly folic acid, B12, B6 metabolism, zinc and magnesium. In addition, amino acid analysis provides important diagnostic information about hepatic and renal function, availability of precursors of neurotransmitters, detoxification capacity, susceptibility to occlusive arterial disease (homocysteine), and many inherent disorders in amino acid metabolism. Plasma is traditionally used to assess the status of essential AA however urine analysis provides more information regarding AA wasting and aberrant metabolism associated with co-factor insufficiencies. This test may be useful for ADHD, ADD, ASD, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, digestive disorders, epilepsy, fatigue, hypertension, infertility, insomnia, kidney function, rheumatoid arthritis and nutritional deficiencies.
