Carnitine

Carnitine

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What's

Carnitine

Carnitine is a natural substance that your body makes mainly in the liver and kidneys. It has a crucial role in producing energy for your body by carrying large fatty acids into the tiny power stations of your cells, called mitochondria. Here, these fatty acids are burned to create energy, especially during times when you're not eating or when you're exercising. Carnitine also helps get rid of waste products from the mitochondria to stop them from building up. In short, Carnitine acts like a hardworking energy coordinator and cleaner for your cells, making sure they have the fuel they need to work properly and keeping them clean by removing waste.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated Carnitine levels might mean that your body is making or getting more of this nutrient than it usually needs. This can happen for various reasons, such as eating a lot of protein, taking supplements, or using certain medications that can raise Carnitine levels. Sometimes, it could also mean that your body isn't using Carnitine effectively, causing a buildup in your bloodstream. While Carnitine is important for creating energy, having too much of it could potentially throw off your body's natural balance of metabolic processes.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Carnitine are generally not noticeable as the body typically excretes excess amounts. However, in rare cases, some people might experience mild digestive issues or a fishy body odor.

If Your Levels are Low

Low Carnitine levels might mean that your body isn't making enough of this important nutrient, or it's having trouble absorbing it from the food you eat. This could be due to various reasons, such as not getting enough nutrients from your diet, taking certain medications like antibiotics or anticonvulsants, or having health issues that affect how your body absorbs nutrients. Low Carnitine levels could also suggest that your body's energy production process isn't working at its best, since Carnitine is responsible for carrying fatty acids into your cells to create energy. This might lead to feeling tired and not performing as well physically.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Carnitine may include fatigue, weakness, difficulty with physical exertion, and unexplained weight loss.

See References

Test for

Micronutrient Test

SpectraCell Laboratories

Whole Blood

The SpectraCell Micronutrient Test analyzes over 30 vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to determine nutritional deficiencies. It also analyzes the performance and functional deficiencies of these micronutrients. This test is not recommended for patients under 12 years of age.

Cellular Nutrition Assay

Cell Science Systems

Whole Blood

The Full Cellular Nutrition Assay combines the Cellular Micronutrient Assay and the Redox/Antioxidant Protection Assay to provide a personalized assessment of a patient's nutritional needs. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 16 years of age.

Cellular Micronutrient Assay

Cell Science Systems

Whole Blood

The Cellular Micronutrient Assay measures the effect of micronutrients on a patient's immune function to identify nutrient insufficiencies. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 9 years of age.

Add-On Cellular Nutrition Assay

Cell Science Systems

Whole Blood

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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