Organic Acid Testing

Uses

How it works

Benefits

Risks & contraindications

Interactions

Comparisons

Evidence quality

Highlighted claims

• Organic acids testing provides direct visibility into both core mitochondrial energy-production pathways and is the primary tool for identifying and correcting metabolic dysfunction. — Organic Acids Testing for Metabolic Dysfunction and Weight Loss
• Elevated adipic acid, suberic acid, and ethylmalonic acid together on an organic acids panel constitute the signature of an inability to burn fat. — Organic Acids Testing for Metabolic Dysfunction and Weight Loss
• Urinary neurotransmitter concentrations should not be interpreted as direct correlates of CNS neurotransmitter levels. — Functional Medicine Approach to Depression: Biomarkers, SNPs, and Therapeutic Interventions
• Elevated pyruvate on organic acids testing is the earliest detectable warning sign of insulin resistance. — Organic Acids Testing for Metabolic Dysfunction and Weight Loss
• Metformin use and recent intense exercise independently elevate lactate and must be excluded before attributing high lactate to PDC dysfunction on organic acids panels. — Organic Acids Testing for Metabolic Dysfunction and Weight Loss
• Organic acid tests identify blocked biochemical pathways by detecting accumulated intermediate metabolites that spill into the urine. — Functional Medicine Approach to Depression: Biomarkers, SNPs, and Therapeutic Interventions
• Standard organic acids panels from most labs include detox pathway markers, enabling simultaneous assessment of mitochondrial dysfunction and toxic burden in a single test. — Organic Acids Testing for Metabolic Dysfunction and Weight Loss
• 5-HIAA, a serotonin metabolite, is more likely to be lower in individuals with depression, indicating reduced serotonin turnover. — Functional Medicine Approach to Depression: Biomarkers, SNPs, and Therapeutic Interventions
• Quinolinic acid is neurotoxic and higher urinary quinolinic acid levels are associated with depression. — Functional Medicine Approach to Depression: Biomarkers, SNPs, and Therapeutic Interventions
• Organic acid testing is superior to direct plasma vitamin measurements because SNPs can alter protein shape and impair enzyme binding even when substrate concentrations appear normal. — Functional Medicine Approach to Depression: Biomarkers, SNPs, and Therapeutic Interventions