Asparagine

Immunology & Autoimmune

AsnAsparagine, plasmaL-AsparagineN

Review status

Currently under review

Pending specialist review and validation.

What it shows

Asparagine is one of the standard amino acids that make up proteins in your body. This test measures the amount of asparagine in your blood, usually as part of a comprehensive amino acid profile.

Laboratories typically use chromatography or mass spectrometry to measure amino acids, helping clinicians understand how your body is synthesizing, using, and clearing these building blocks of protein.

Why it matters

Asparagine levels can change with metabolic disorders, nutritional problems, liver or kidney conditions, and during treatment with medicines that deliberately reduce this amino acid in certain leukemias. Your clinician may order this test when symptoms or other labs suggest a problem with amino acid handling, when monitoring specialized therapies, or when assessing overall nutritional status.

A profile that includes asparagine can help distinguish inherited metabolic diseases from secondary changes caused by illness or diet. This supports targeted follow up testing and guides treatment decisions.

Understanding your results

Results are interpreted in clinical context and alongside other amino acids. Lower values can be seen with poor intake, malabsorption, liver dysfunction, or during therapy that depletes this amino acid. Higher values may occur with reduced kidney clearance, high protein intake, or increased tissue breakdown. Patterns across multiple amino acids often provide the most useful clues to the cause.

If your result is unexpected, your clinician may repeat the test with careful preparation, review related labs, or refer you to a metabolic or nutrition specialist. Management focuses on the underlying cause and may include dietary adjustments, changes to supplements or medications, and follow up testing.

Reference ranges

31 – 56 umol/L

All sexes

0 days – 2 years

0 – 2 umol/L

All sexes

0 days – 150 years

29 – 56 umol/L

All sexes

2 years – 6 years

31 – 67 umol/L

All sexes

6 years – 14 years

37 – 81 umol/L

All sexes

14 years – 150 years

Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.

Factors that could impact Asparagine

Fasting and recent diet
Protein rich meals and amino acid supplements can raise measured levels. Many labs request a fasting sample and avoidance of supplements to reduce false elevations.
Sample handling and processing
Delays in separating plasma and freezing the specimen allow ongoing cellular metabolism, which can alter amino acid concentrations. Prompt processing and cold transport help preserve accuracy.
Medications and therapies
Asparaginase and some chemotherapy regimens lower circulating asparagine as part of treatment. Corticosteroids, high protein supplements, or tube feeds can increase levels.
Kidney and liver function
Kidney impairment may reduce clearance and increase amino acid levels, while liver dysfunction can decrease synthesis and lower certain amino acids, including asparagine.
Illness, stress, and exercise
Infection, trauma, or vigorous exercise can increase protein breakdown, shifting amino acid patterns and potentially changing asparagine levels.
Age, growth, and pregnancy
Physiologic changes with growth and pregnancy can influence amino acid metabolism. Interpretation should consider life stage and clinical context.

2026

References

McGill University Health Centre. (2015, February 04). Asparagine (Task CD 693122). Laboratory reference ranges.
McGill University Health Centre. (2015, February 04). Asparagine (Task CD 693393). Laboratory reference ranges.
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. (2017). Standards and guidelines for the diagnosis and management of aminoacidopathies.