Note: This is a home collection test kit that will be mailed to you.
Fasting Required: No
Specimen: Urine
Special Instructions: Ship to lab Monday-Thursday only.
Ship your specimen within 48 hours of collection.
It is not necessary to discontinue nutritional supplements prior to this
specimen collection. Abnormalities that may be found will reveal special
needs that have not been met by recent dietary and supplemental intake.
Decrease fluid intake to avoid excessive dilution of the urine:
– For adults, restrict intake to three 8 oz. glasses or less for 24 hours
– Make sure that no more than 8 oz. of this is consumed after 8:00 PM the
evening prior to urine collection
Do not collect urine during menstruation.
Vial contains preservative – Do Not Rinse
Results: 7-10 Business Days
Note: Result turn around times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.
Description:
Neopterin and biopterin are by-products of the redox reactions involving tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). BH4 functions as a cofactor for the enzymes responsible for the production of monoamine neurotransmitters (ephinepherine, norepinephrine, DOPA, serotonin), and as a cofactor in nitric oxide production. Low biopterin levels may reflect insufficient BH4 status. Restricted BH4 cofactor availability has been suggested as an etiologic factor in:
•Neurological Disease – Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Autism, Depression, DOPA-responsive Dystonia
•Insulin Resistance
•Cardiovascular Disease
•Inborn-errors of metabolism: Phenylketonuria, Hyperphenylalaninemia