Arginine Quantitative Plasma

The Arginine Quantitative Plasma test measures the amount of arginine present in your blood plasma. 

The Arginine Quantitative Plasma test is done for the following reasons:

• To diagnose urea cycle defects or Argininemia
• To monitor the level of arginine
• To help determine if treatment is working to address the identified condition

Your doctor might recommend an Arginine Quantitative Plasma test if one has:

• Abnormal ammonia, or other metabolic markers found in newborn screening.
• Symptoms like seizures or developmental delays leading to suspicion of inborn errors of metabolism.
• A prior diagnosis of urea cycle defects or argininemia.

Elevated levels can suggest urea cycle defects or argininemia, a rare genetic disorder, while low levels may indicate dietary deficiency or malnutrition. The absence of arginine might indicate a dietary deficit.

A clinician will take a blood sample from your arm vein. The whole procedure is quick, easy, and painless. 

To prepare for this test, you must

• Fast overnight before the test. Drink only water while fasting.
• Inform your doctor about any medication or supplements you are taking.

It is advisable to consult your healthcare provider to determine if there are any particular requirements you should be aware of.

Other tests that might be recommended alongside the Arginine Quantitative Plasma test include the following:

• Liver function tests
• Blood ammonia testing
• Genetic testing for urea cycle disorders or argininemia

Arginine blood test, ARG blood test, ARGN test

Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD) is a rare genetic disorder that affects how nitrogen is eliminated from the body. It occurs when the liver enzymes responsible for processing nitrogen into urea become deficient or absent, leading to a build-up of toxic substances in the blood.