L-Carnitine, free (Serum (s), frozen)

Specimens:	1 ml Serum (s), frozen
Preanalytics/Notes:	see also acylcarnitine
Method:	Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Dimension:	µmol/l
Set-up:	Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Duration:	7 days
Indication/Significance:	Failure to thrive Muscular asthenia of unclear origin Malnutrition and false nutrition Chronic haemodialysis Gravidity Anticonvulsant therapy Carnitine in the ejaculate: Carnitine is a marker of the epididymal function e.g. in the case of azoospermia or chronic epididymitis.
Interpretation:	Decreased carnitine more… Decreased carnitine values in the serum or urine samples can be indicative of metabolic defects. To this end it must be noted that often the carnitine deficiencies cannot be determined with certainty by measuring the carnitine concentrations in the serum, but in muscle or liver tissue samples if there is reasonable ground for suspicion. Carnitine deficiency syndromes are associated with a reduction of the energy supply from fatty acid oxidation or with an inhibition of coenzyme A-dependent metabolic processes. Carnitine in the ejaculate: Very low values are found in azoospermia caused by a bilateral deferent duct obstruction. Carnitine is also reduced in the case of chronic inflammations of the epididymis (epididymitis) close

sample referred to a partner lab

Representation of age: "from" refers to the commenced year(s) (month) of age; "until" refers to the completed year(s) (month) of age.