Tyrosine (serum) | Laboratory research

General Information

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is part of the body's structural proteins. It is found in the body both with food and is produced from the amino acid phenylalanine.

Tyrosine is involved in the synthesis of important substances such as: neurotransmitters – dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, thyroid hormones, the pigment melanin, etc. Sometimes tyrosine is used as a dietary supplement – ​​to improve attention and concentration.

The test measures the level of tyrosine in the blood serum, which shows how the body is metabolizing proteins.

High serum tyrosine levels may be associated with hereditary pathologies, such as liver disease, or may be temporary, as in neonatal tyrosinemia. High tyrosine levels may also be observed during treatment with tyrosine-depleting medications.

Low levels of tyrosine can be associated with malnutrition, malabsorption, or impaired absorption of nutrients, as well as metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria. In phenylketonuria, the body's production of tyrosine is severely reduced due to a deficiency of the enzymes that convert phenylalanine.

When is the survey conducted?

The need to determine tyrosine in the blood may arise in the following cases:

• Growth and/or mental development delay
• Symptoms of liver damage: jaundice, hepatomegaly, functional failure, nausea, vomiting, bleeding tendency
• Symptoms of eye irritation: painful keratitis, photophobia, conjunctival thickening, redness
• Diseases associated with protein metabolism disorders

Interpretation of results

The serum tyrosine level depends on a number of factors, such as age, general health, protein metabolism characteristics, and others.

Tyrosine levels are different in children and adolescents, and there are reasons for this:

in children: Metabolism is more active, and growth and development processes require high amounts of amino acids. Therefore, normal serum tyrosine levels are often slightly higher in children.

In adults: After growth is complete, the demand for amino acids, including tyrosine, decreases, therefore the normal range is relatively low.

Preparation of the patient: The study is conducted on an empty stomach

Material for examination: Venous blood