Creatine and Guanidinoacetate (Urine)

CPT: 82540; 82542
Updated on 12/5/2024
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Special Instructions

This assay currently is not available in New York state.

This assay is not currently available in New York state.

This assay currently is not available in New York state.

This assay is not currently available in New York state.

This assay currently is not available in New York state.


Expected Turnaround Time

10 - 14 days


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Urine, frozen


Volume

1.0 mL


Minimum Volume

0.5 mL


Container

Sterile cup


Collection

Collect entire sample into a single sterile cup.


Storage Instructions

Freeze as soon as possoble after collection; ship within 24 hours.


Stability Requirements

Temperature
Room temperature
PeriodUnstable
Refrigerated
PeriodUnstable
Frozen
PeriodIndefinitely
TemperaturePeriod
Room temperatureUnstable
RefrigeratedUnstable
FrozenIndefinitely

Causes for Rejection

Thawed sample


Test Details


Use

Evaluation of patients with a clinical suspicion of inborn errors of creatine metabolism including arginine:glycine amidinotransferase deficiency, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency, and creatine transporter (SLC6A8) defect. Urine creatine and guanidinoacetate testing may also be used for assessment of Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS) identified during genetic testing (e.g. Next Generation Sequencing or Capillary Sequencing testing). Disorders of creatine synthesis (deficiency of arginine:glycine amidinotransferase [AGAT] and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase [GAMT]) and creatine transporter (SLC6A8) deficiency are collectively described creatine deficiency syndromes (CDS). AGAT and GAMT deficiencies are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, while the creatine transporter defect is X-linked. Diagnosis is possible by measuring guanidinoacetate (GAA), creatine (Crn) in plasma and urine. The profiles are specific for each clinical entity. Patients with GAMT deficiency typically exhibit normal to low Cr, very elevated GAA, and low Crn. Patients with AGAT deficiency typically exhibit normal to low Cr, low GAA, and normal to low Crn. In comparison, elevated Cr, normal GAA, normal to low Crn, and an elevated Cr:Crn ratio characterize patients with creatine transporter defect. AGAT, GAMT and the creatine transporter defect result in a depletion of of cerebral creatine and typically present with global developmental delays, intellectual disability, and severe speech delay. Some patients with CDS develop seizures. Patients with GAMT and the creatine transporter deficiency exhibit behavioral problems and features of autism. Female carriers for the creatine transporter deficiency can have intellectual disability and behavioral problems, and some develop seizures. Treatment with oral supplementation of creatine monohydrate is available and effective for the AGAT and GAMT deficiencies. Creatine supplementation has not been shown to improve outcomes in males with the creatine transporter defect. Female carriers of creatine transporter deficiency who have symptoms, however, have been reported to benefit from creatine supplementation.


Limitations

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.


Methodology

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)


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