Platform
Company
Urinalysis
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
This test measures the amount of serine, an amino acid, that is excreted in your urine. Serine is important for building proteins, making cell membranes, and supporting the nervous system. Because urine can be more or less concentrated depending on hydration, the result is typically reported relative to creatinine to improve consistency across samples.
Urine serine can be ordered on its own or as part of a broader urine amino acid profile. It is often used along with blood testing and your clinical history to look for patterns that may suggest metabolic or kidney tubular conditions.
Abnormal urinary serine can point to problems with how the kidney tubules reabsorb amino acids, inherited disorders that affect serine production or breakdown, or changes related to diet and overall metabolism. In infants and children, it may help evaluate developmental concerns, seizures, or poor growth as part of a metabolic workup. In adults, it can contribute to the assessment of kidney tubular dysfunction or the effects of nutrition and illness.
Your clinician may order this test if there are signs of a metabolic disorder, unexplained aminoaciduria, or suspected medication effects on the kidneys. It can also help monitor response to dietary therapy or other treatments in specific conditions.
Your result is interpreted in context with other tests, such as plasma amino acids, a full urine amino acid profile, kidney function tests, and your symptoms. Higher-than-expected values can occur with generalized aminoaciduria from kidney tubular issues, certain medications that affect the tubules, high protein intake, or severe illness. Lower-than-expected values may be seen in disorders of serine biosynthesis, limited intake, malabsorption, or if the sample is unusually dilute.
If your result is unexpected, your clinician may recommend a repeat first-morning urine sample, review of medications and supplements, dietary assessment, or additional testing such as plasma amino acids, urine organic acids, or genetic consultation. Decisions about treatment or follow-up depend on the overall clinical picture rather than a single value.
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.
Very dilute urine can lower the creatinine denominator and distort ratios, while very concentrated urine can do the opposite. A first-morning, midstream sample usually gives the most consistent result.
High protein intake, medical nutrition formulas, or amino acid supplements can change urinary amino acid patterns, including serine. Let your clinician know about recent diet changes.
Drugs that affect kidney tubules, such as ifosfamide, cisplatin, or certain antivirals, can cause generalized aminoaciduria. Review all prescriptions and over-the-counter products with your care team.
Fever, infections, surgery, or catabolic states can alter protein breakdown and amino acid handling, temporarily shifting urine serine levels.
Infants and young children naturally excrete more amino acids than adults, and smaller muscle mass can affect creatinine output, influencing ratio-based results.
Improper timing, contamination, or delayed refrigeration can degrade amino acids or change measured concentrations. Follow collection instructions carefully.
Physiologic changes during pregnancy and certain chronic conditions can affect amino acid excretion. Reference intervals may differ or be limited for these groups.
References