Acylcarnitinescserplscnc
This blood test measures the levels of short-chain acylcarnitine in your blood to help diagnose certain metabolic disorders.
{"Measures short-chain acylcarnitine levels in serum or plasma","Helps diagnose fatty acid oxidation disorders","Used for newborn screening and metabolic disease evaluation","Abnormal results may indicate genetic metabolic conditions","Results help doctors plan appropriate treatment"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 38552-6
- Short code
- SC-AC
- Synonyms
- Acylcarnitine SC SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 2
- Ref high
- 15
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)
- CPT
- 82017
- SNOMED
- 313336004
- Specimen volume
- 0.5-1 mL serum minimum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours; Frozen (-20°C or below): 2-4 weeks
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The short-chain acylcarnitine test measures the amount of short-chain acylcarnitine in your blood serum or plasma. Acylcarnitines are substances produced when your body breaks down fatty acids for energy. Short-chain acylcarnitines specifically refer to those with shorter carbon chains. This test helps doctors evaluate how well your body processes fats for energy.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood is collected into a tube and sent to a laboratory for analysis. You may need to fast for several hours before the test, as instructed by your doctor. It's important to follow any pre-test instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.
What do the results mean?
Normal levels of short-chain acylcarnitine indicate that your body is properly metabolizing fatty acids. Abnormal levels, particularly elevated levels, may suggest certain metabolic disorders where the body cannot properly break down fats for energy. Your doctor will interpret your results in combination with your symptoms, medical history, and other test results.
Reference range
Reference ranges for short-chain acylcarnitines vary by compound and laboratory. Typical reference ranges: Acetylcarnitine (C2): 2-15 µmol/L; Propionylcarnitine (C3): 0.5-5 µmol/L. Consult laboratory-specific reference intervals.N/A
No special preparation required. Fasting is not mandatory but may be requested for certain clinical indications. Inform patient that this test is commonly used for newborn screening and metabolic disorder evaluation.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need this test?
Is fasting required before the test?
What happens if my results are abnormal?
Is this test safe?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy