Amino acid blood test

What this test is

This blood test checks many amino acids at once. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein in your body. The test is mostly used to find rare genetic conditions that affect how the body handles amino acids. These conditions usually show up in babies or children with specific symptoms. Genetics specialists do this workup, not a family doctor. This test is not a good way to check general protein status or fatigue in most people. Amino acid levels shift with meals and fasting. That makes results hard to read without a clear reason to look for a rare condition. If you feel tired or run down, this test likely will not explain why. It will not change what helps you feel better.