Ulta Lab Tests

Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive

The Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive provides an in-depth evaluation of how protein and amino acids are absorbed and used at the metabolic level. By combining plasma amino acid analysis, prealbumin, IGF-1, functional markers, vitamin B12 and folate, creatinine, and a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, this panel delivers a clear view of protein utilization, nutritional status, and metabolic efficiency.

Plasma-Unspecified Vial Pour, Serum
Phlebotomist
Sample Lab Report Sample Results

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: Amino Acid Analysis LCMS Plasma

1-Methylhistidine

3-Methylhistidine

Alanine

Alpha Amino Adipic Acid

Alpha Amino Butyric Acid

Arginine

Asparagine

Aspartic Acid

Beta Amino Isobutyric

Beta-Alanine

Citrulline

Cystathionine

Date Of Birth

Ethanolamine

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid

Glutamic Acid

Glutamine

Glycine

Histidine

Homocystine

Hydroxyproline

Interpretation

Isoleucine

Leucine

Lysine

Methionine

Ornithine

Phenylalanine

Proline

Sarcosine

Serine

Taurine

Threonine

Tryptophan

Tyrosine

Valine

Also known as: Chem 12, Chemistry Panel, Chemistry Screen, CMP, Complete Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel CMP, SMA 12, SMA 20

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.

Albumin/Globulin Ratio

The ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G ratio) is calculated from measured albumin and calculated globulin (total protein - albumin). Normally, there is a little more albumin than globulins, giving a normal A/G ratio of slightly over 1. Because disease states affect the relative amounts of albumin and globulin, the A/G ratio may provide a clue as to the cause of the change in protein levels. A low A/G ratio may reflect overproduction of globulins, such as seen in multiple myeloma or autoimmune diseases, or underproduction of albumin, such as may occur with cirrhosis, or selective loss of albumin from the circulation, as may occur with kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome). A high A/G ratio suggests underproduction of immunoglobulins as may be seen in some genetic deficiencies and in some leukemias. More specific tests, such as liver enzyme tests and serum protein electrophoresis, must be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. With a low total protein that is due to plasma expansion (dilution of the blood), the A/G ratio will typically be normal because both albumin and globulin will be diluted to the same extent.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with higher amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone.

Alt

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme found in the highest amounts in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the substance into the blood.

AST

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in high amounts in liver, heart, and muscle cells. It is also found in lesser amounts in other tissues.

Bilirubin, Total

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Bun/Creatinine Ratio

A ratio between a person’s BUN and blood creatinine to help determine what is causing these concentrations to be higher than normal. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as congestive heart failure or dehydration. It may also be seen with increased protein, from gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein in the diet. The ratio may be decreased with liver disease (due to decrease in the formation of urea) and malnutrition.

Calcium

You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs. The body stores more than 99 percent of its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 is carbon dioxide. Measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood, called the serum. In the body, most of the CO2 is in the form of a substance called bicarbonate (HCO3-). Therefore, the CO2 blood test is really a measure of your blood bicarbonate level.

Chloride

Chloride is a type of electrolyte. It works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These substances help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance. This is a measure of the amount of chloride in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood.

Creatinine

The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys work.

Egfr African American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Egfr Non-Afr. American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

GFR-AFRICAN AMERICAN

GFR-NON AFRICAN AMERICAN

Globulin

Globulins is the collective term for most blood proteins other than albumin. Identifying the types of globulins can help diagnose certain disorders. Globulins are roughly divided into three groups: alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Gamma globulines include various types of antibodies such as immunoglobulins (Ig) M, G, and A.

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that the body needs to work normally. It helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.

Protein, Total

The total protein is the total amount of two classes of proteins, albumin and globulin that are found in the fluid portion of your blood. Proteins are important parts of all cells and tissues. Your albumin helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and your globulins are an important part of your immune system.

Sodium

Sodium is a substance that the body needs to work properly it is vital to normal body processes, including nerve and muscle function

Urea Nitrogen (Bun)

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down. BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

Also known as: Homocysteine, Homocysteine Cardiovascular

HOMOCYSTEINE,

Also known as: IGF-1, IGFI LCMS, Insulin-Like Growth Factor, Insulin-like Growth Factor - 1, Somatomedin C, Somatomedin-C

Igf I, LC/MS

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) test is an indirect measure of the average amount of growth hormone (GH) being produced by the body. IGF-1 and GH are polypeptide hormones, small proteins that are vital for normal bone and tissue growth and development. GH is produced by the pituitary gland, a grape-sized gland located at the base of the brain behind the bridge of your nose. GH is secreted into the bloodstream in pulses throughout the day and night with peaks that occur mostly during the night. IGF-1 is produced by the liver and skeletal muscle as well as many other tissues in response to GH stimulation. IGF-1 mediates many of the actions of GH, stimulating the growth of bones and other tissues and promoting the production of lean muscle mass. IGF-1 mirrors GH excesses and deficiencies, but its level is stable throughout the day, making it a useful indicator of average GH levels.

Z Score (Female)

z Score. A z-score (aka, a standard score) indicates how many standard deviations an element is from the mean. A z-score can be calculated from the following formula. z = (X - µ) / s where z is the z-score, X is the value of the element, µ is the population mean, and s is the standard deviation.

Methylmalonic Acid

Also known as: Thyroxine Binding Prealbumin, Thyroxine-binding Prealbumin, Transthyretin

Prealbumin

Prealbumin, also called transthyretin, is one of the major proteins in the blood and is produced primarily by the liver. Its functions are to carry thyroxine (the main thyroid hormone) and vitamin A throughout the body. This test measures the level of prealbumin in the blood.

Also known as: Cobalamin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B 12 and Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Cobalamin and Folate Panel Serum, Vitamin B12/Folic Acid

Folate, Serum

Folate is part of the B complex of vitamins and is measures the levels of folate in the liquid portion of the blood, the serum or plasma, to detect deficiencies. Folate is necessary for normal RBC formation, tissue and cellular repair, and DNA synthesis.. A deficiency inr folate can lead to macrocytic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia, a type of macrocytic anemia, is characterized by the production of fewer but larger RBCs called macrocytes, in addition to some cellular changes in the bone marrow.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins and measurea the levels of vitamin B12 in the liquid portion of the blood, the serum or plasma, to detect deficiencies. Cobalamine, or vitamin B12, is found in animal products such as red meat, fish, poultry, milk, yogurt, and eggs and is not produced in the human body. In recent years, fortified cereals, breads, and other grain products have also become important dietary sources of B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for normal RBC formation, tissue and cellular repair, and DNA synthesis. B12 is important for nerve health. A deficiency in B12 can lead to macrocytic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia, a type of macrocytic anemia, is characterized by the production of fewer but larger RBCs called macrocytes, in addition to some cellular changes in the bone marrow. B12 deficiency can lead to varying degrees of neuropathy, nerve damage that can cause tingling and numbness in the affected person's hands and feet.
*Important Information on Lab Test Processing Times: Ulta Lab Tests is committed to informing you about the processing times for your lab tests processed through a national lab. Please note that the estimated processing time for each test, indicated in business days, is based on data from the past 30 days across the 13 laboratories for each test. These estimates are intended to serve as a guide and are not guarantees. Factors such as laboratory workload, weather conditions, holidays, and the need for additional testing or maintenance can influence actual processing times. We aim to offer estimates to help you plan accordingly. Please understand that these times may vary, and processing times are not guaranteed. Thank you for choosing Ulta Lab Tests for your laboratory needs.

The Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive panel contains 7 tests with 64 biomarkers .

The Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive is an advanced laboratory assessment designed to evaluate how dietary protein and amino acids are absorbed, metabolized, and utilized within the body. Rather than focusing solely on intake, this panel examines downstream biomarkers that reflect protein synthesis, amino acid balance, nutrient-dependent metabolic pathways, and organ systems involved in protein handling. By combining plasma amino acid profiling with metabolic, nutritional, and functional markers, the panel provides a multidimensional view of protein utilization and overall nutritional efficiency.

Proteins and amino acids are fundamental to nearly every physiological process, including muscle maintenance, enzyme activity, hormone production, immune response, and tissue repair. Adequate intake does not always equate to effective utilization; factors such as digestion, absorption, micronutrient sufficiency, metabolic demand, and organ function can influence how protein is processed at the cellular level. This panel is structured to illuminate those dynamics by pairing direct amino acid measurements with markers of nutritional status, methylation activity, and metabolic health.

The inclusion of a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) and creatinine provides essential context for liver and kidney function—key systems in amino acid metabolism and nitrogen balance. Functional markers such as homocysteine and methylmalonic acid add insight into vitamin-dependent pathways that directly influence amino acid utilization. Prealbumin and IGF-1 further contextualize protein synthesis, nutritional adequacy, and anabolic signaling.

The Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive is commonly used in preventive care, nutritional assessment, metabolic evaluation, and longitudinal monitoring when understanding protein handling and amino acid balance is clinically relevant. It supports a systems-based approach that emphasizes functional utilization rather than isolated laboratory values.

When and Why Someone Would Order This Panel

Evaluating Protein Utilization Beyond Intake

This panel is often ordered when there is a need to understand how effectively the body is using protein, not just how much is being consumed. Individuals with adequate or high protein intake may still experience altered amino acid patterns due to absorption issues, metabolic inefficiencies, or increased physiological demand. This panel helps identify those patterns.

Assessing Nutritional Adequacy and Metabolic Demand

Prealbumin and IGF-1 provide insight into short-term nutritional status and anabolic signaling, respectively. These markers are frequently evaluated when monitoring nutritional adequacy in individuals undergoing dietary changes, recovery from illness, or long-term health optimization efforts.

Investigating Amino Acid Imbalance or Functional Deficiency

Plasma amino acid analysis allows for detailed evaluation of essential and non-essential amino acids. This can be useful when exploring laboratory trends associated with muscle maintenance concerns, fatigue patterns, or altered metabolic states, particularly when combined with functional nutrient markers.

Monitoring Methylation and Vitamin-Dependent Pathways

Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid are functional biomarkers influenced by vitamins B12 and folate—nutrients essential for amino acid metabolism and methylation processes. This panel is commonly used when evaluating whether these pathways are functioning efficiently at the cellular level.

Providing Context Through Organ Function Testing

The CMP and creatinine help contextualize protein and amino acid findings within liver and kidney function, both of which play central roles in amino acid processing, detoxification, and nitrogen balance. This integrated approach is particularly valuable in comprehensive nutritional and metabolic evaluations.

What Does the Panel Measure

Amino Acid Profile

Amino Acid Analysis, Plasma measures a broad spectrum of amino acids, providing insight into circulating levels of essential and non-essential amino acids. These results help characterize amino acid balance, availability for protein synthesis, and metabolic patterns.

Protein and Nutritional Status Markers

Prealbumin is a sensitive marker of short-term protein status and nutritional adequacy. Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) reflects anabolic signaling related to growth hormone activity and protein synthesis, offering context for tissue repair and metabolic balance.

Functional Metabolic Biomarkers

Homocysteine is influenced by amino acid metabolism and B-vitamin–dependent methylation pathways. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a sensitive indicator of functional vitamin B12 utilization, which plays a key role in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism.

Vitamin Cofactors

Vitamin B12 and serum folate are essential cofactors in amino acid metabolism, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. Their measurement supports interpretation of homocysteine and MMA results.

Metabolic and Renal Context

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel evaluates glucose, liver enzymes, proteins, electrolytes, and kidney-related markers, providing metabolic context for amino acid utilization. Creatinine offers additional insight into kidney function and muscle metabolism.

How Patients and Healthcare Providers Use the Results

Identifying Protein Utilization Patterns

Results from this panel help identify patterns related to amino acid imbalance, altered protein synthesis, or functional nutrient insufficiency. Providers interpret these markers collectively to understand how protein is being processed and utilized at the cellular level.

Supporting Evaluation of Related Conditions

Healthcare providers may reference this panel when evaluating laboratory patterns associated with malnutrition risk, altered protein metabolism, muscle loss trends, metabolic stress, or vitamin B12– and folate-related functional abnormalities.

Monitoring Changes Over Time

This panel is well suited for longitudinal monitoring. Repeat testing can help track how amino acid profiles, nutritional markers, and functional biomarkers change in response to dietary adjustments, supplementation strategies, or broader care plans.

Facilitating Informed Clinical Discussions

Rather than serving as a standalone diagnostic tool, the Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive provides a structured dataset that supports evidence-based conversations between patients and healthcare providers regarding nutritional strategies, additional testing, or ongoing monitoring.

The Protein & Amino Acid Utilization Panel — Comprehensive delivers a detailed and functionally oriented view of how protein and amino acids are absorbed, metabolized, and utilized within the body. By integrating plasma amino acid analysis with nutritional markers, functional biomarkers, vitamin cofactors, and metabolic context, this panel emphasizes utilization and balance rather than intake alone.

Its value lies in providing clarity around complex biochemical interactions that influence protein synthesis, metabolic efficiency, and overall nutritional status. Whether used for preventive screening, advanced nutritional evaluation, or long-term monitoring, this panel offers reliable laboratory insight that supports thoughtful interpretation, continuity of care, and informed health decision-making—without assumptions or transactional framing.

Customer Reviews