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Very Long Chain Fatty Acids
(a.k.a VLCFA)
Test Code: VLC
Tube type: Lithium Heparin
Other acceptable tube types
SST (yellow) and EDTA (purple) are also acceptable
Special instructions
In adults: A fasting sample is strongly preferred.
Infants: Samples should ideally be pre-prandial/pre-feed.
Reference ranges
C26:0: 0.24 - 1.19
C26:0/C22:0 ratio: <0.021
C24:0/C22:0 ratio: <1.06
Pristanic acid: <1.4
Phytanic acid (age-related ranges):
<5.4 (age up to 1 month)
<10.8 (age 1-12 months)
<12.3 (age 12 months+)
Sent away
to Southmead Hospital
Units
µmol/L
Turnaround Time
21
days
Department: Biochemistry
Clinical Application
Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) are fatty acids with a carbon chain length of >22. They are part of cellular lipids, such as glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids.
Peroxisomes are small, intracellular organelles containing enzymes involved in a number of metabolic reactions, including enzymes needed for the β-oxidation of VLCFA.
VLCFA analysis can be used for the differential diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders. These are rare disorders arising from a defect in peroxisome biogenesis or disruption at a single enzyme/transporter level, affecting peroxisomal function. These disorders include: adrenoleukodystrophy, Refsum disease and Zellweger syndrome.
Webpage updated: September 2024.
