: Pyruvate Carboxylase, Tissue, Concentration
: This test measures the amount or activity of pyruvate carboxylase, an enzyme important in energy and glucose metabolism, in a tissue sample.
[": Pyruvate carboxylase testing on tissue helps evaluate certain rare metabolic disorders affecting energy production."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 2909-0
- Short code
- Pyruvate Carboxylase Tiss-cCnt
- Synonyms
- Pyruvate Carboxylase Tiss-cCnt
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 2
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Test Measures
: Pyruvate carboxylase is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and other tissues. It plays a key role in gluconeogenesis (making glucose) and in replenishing molecules used in cellular energy metabolism. This test assesses the enzyme in a tissue specimen.
: Why It May Be Ordered
: Testing may be requested when a person has signs of a rare inherited metabolic disorder, such as specific forms of lactic acidosis or other energy-metabolism problems. It is typically part of a broader metabolic evaluation rather than a routine screen.
: How the Sample Is Obtained
: Because this is described as a tissue test, the sample is usually a small piece of tissue collected during a procedure. The specific collection method depends on the clinical situation and is decided by the care team.
: Understanding Results
: Results are interpreted by a specialist alongside clinical findings and other tests. Abnormal enzyme levels or activity can suggest a metabolic disorder, but results alone do not establish a diagnosis. Reference values vary by laboratory and method.
Reference range
NCBI: SCC <2.0 ng/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency is a rare inherited condition that can cause neurological problems and metabolic crises. Testing the enzyme in tissue can support diagnosis when clinical and biochemical findings are consistent, and results should always be interpreted by a metabolic specialist.
Short name
: Pyruvate Carboxylase
Frequently asked questions
: Is this a routine blood test?
: Can I get results without a specialist?
: Does an abnormal result mean I have a disease?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy