The Organic Acids test from Genova Diagnostics is a nutrition test that evaluates organic acids in a urine sample. Metabolic processes in the body produce organic acids from the digestion of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. These acids generate cellular energy and provide many of the fundamental pieces necessary for cell function. The measurement of organic acids provides a way for the physician to perform a functional assessment of the patient nutrient status. A high accumulation of organic acids in urine can suggest a metabolic inhibition or block due to an inherited enzyme deficit, a nutrient deficiency, toxic build-up, or the consequence of a drug effect. Vitamins and minerals are required for the correct functioning of the enzymes responsible for metabolizing organic acids. Thus, an increase in organic acids in the urine can reflect a functional need for these nutrients on a cellular and biochemical level, even when a serum analysis reflects normal results. The test results can guide the physician with recommendations for nutrient supplementation. What Does Organic Acids Test Measure? The test analyzes over 50 organic acids in a urine sample. The profile report categorizes test results into six major metabolic areas: Malabsorption and Dysbiosis Markers represent by-products of bacterial and fungal activity in the gastrointestinal tract. In the absence of dysbiosis, high levels of these metabolites can reflect a good intake of antioxidant-rich foods. Cellular Energy & Mitochondrial Markers: abnormal excretion of organic acids related to the Krebs cycle provides a window into various clinical conditions and potential therapeutic targets to correct mitochondrial dysfunction. Vitamin Markers are organic acid markers commonly used to assess the status of specific B-vitamins. Physicians can gain insight into functional vitamin needs by measuring these acids known to rely on specific nutrients for enzymatic metabolism. Neurotransmitter Metabolites are organic acid markers that are downstream metabolites of neurotransmitter synthesis and degradation. Increased levels can represent altered neurotransmitter metabolism due to enzymatic nutrient cofactor needs, chronic illness, stress, genetic predispositions, and toxins. Toxins & Detoxification Markers: these organic acids represent markers of exposure to environmental toxins or up-regulation of detoxification pathways in response to exposures. Elevations lead to recommendations to identify the exposures and minimize or remove them. Oxalate Markers: these organic acids may provide insight into abnormal metabolism, resulting in higher levels of oxalic acid. The oxalates may have specific clinical relevance to patients suffering from recurrent kidney stones, as high levels of oxalic acid are a strong risk factor in kidney stone development. Urinary organic acids are measured via the highly sensitive methodology of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography, followed by mass spectrometry in tandem (LC/MS/MS). Reference ranges are age and gender-specific and are based on a questionnaire-qualified from a healthy cohort.
