Platform
Company
Immunology & Autoimmune
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
This test measures C14:2 tetradecadienoylcarnitine, a long‑chain acylcarnitine found in blood. Acylcarnitines are compounds your body makes as it breaks down fats for energy inside mitochondria. Measuring specific acylcarnitines helps show how well certain fat oxidation steps are working.
C14:2 is typically assessed as part of an acylcarnitine profile using tandem mass spectrometry on plasma or a dried blood spot. Doctors use it to evaluate for inborn errors of metabolism that affect long‑chain fat processing and to monitor people with known metabolic conditions.
Abnormal C14:2 levels can point to problems in the pathway that burns long‑chain fats for energy. Conditions such as very long‑chain acyl‑CoA dehydrogenase deficiency or related fatty acid oxidation disorders may show characteristic changes in this marker along with others. Identifying these patterns can explain symptoms like low energy, muscle pain during illness or exercise, or unexpected low blood sugar.
Your clinician may order this test for a newborn after screening results, during an acute illness, before anesthesia, or to monitor known disease. Results can guide nutrition and treatment plans, such as avoiding prolonged fasting, adjusting fat intake, and planning emergency care during infections.
Your result is interpreted together with other acylcarnitines, your age, symptoms, and clinical history. A higher than expected C14:2 may prompt repeat testing, a full acylcarnitine profile, urine organic acids, and possibly genetic testing to confirm or rule out a fatty acid oxidation disorder. If you feel well and the rest of your profile is reassuring, your clinician may simply recheck at a later time or during illness.
A normal result does not completely exclude metabolic conditions, since some disorders show clearer changes during stress or fasting. Diet, supplements, and some medicines can influence the profile. Your care team will explain what your result means for you and whether any follow‑up, diet changes, or family testing is recommended.
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.
Levels can shift during prolonged fasting, fever, or catabolic stress, which increases fat breakdown and may unmask fatty acid oxidation defects.
High intake of long‑chain fats, use of medium‑chain triglyceride formulas, or carnitine supplements can influence acylcarnitine patterns in blood.
Certain medicines, especially some antiepileptics, and riboflavin status can alter acylcarnitine profiles. Always list your medications and vitamins.
Plasma versus dried blood spot, non‑fasting collection, hemolysis, or delays in processing can affect results and may prompt repeat testing.
Transitional metabolism in the first weeks of life and prematurity can cause variability. Interpretation uses age‑specific expectations.
Physiologic changes in pregnancy can lower carnitine stores and subtly change acylcarnitines, so context and clinical history are important.
References