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What Causes Fluctuations In Phenylalanine Concentrations In A Person With Phenylketonuria?
Question: In a person with PKU, what causes fluctuations in phe levels
Brief Answer:
recommended level in PKU is a phenylalanine level between 2 and 6 mg/dl
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In PKU the phenylalanine cannot be broken down due to an enzyme deficiency. Even if the patient is on a strict PKU diet, still small amounts of phenylalanine will be ingested in food and this can vary with what foods are eaten. Small fluctuations are normal and as long as the levels stay below 10 there is really no danger. Having the levels be high for a long period of time can cause permanent brain damage.
Here are some sites to help with the PKU diet:
http://health.utah.gov/nsp/Disorders/MSMS/AA/PKU/DietListFoods_PKU_En.pdf
https://npkua.org/Portals/0/PDFs/pku_adult_booklet.pdf
These patients really should not eat any eggs,meat, dairy or flour.
Thanks for taking care of him,
Dr. Robinson
recommended level in PKU is a phenylalanine level between 2 and 6 mg/dl
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
In PKU the phenylalanine cannot be broken down due to an enzyme deficiency. Even if the patient is on a strict PKU diet, still small amounts of phenylalanine will be ingested in food and this can vary with what foods are eaten. Small fluctuations are normal and as long as the levels stay below 10 there is really no danger. Having the levels be high for a long period of time can cause permanent brain damage.
Here are some sites to help with the PKU diet:
http://health.utah.gov/nsp/Disorders/MSMS/AA/PKU/DietListFoods_PKU_En.pdf
https://npkua.org/Portals/0/PDFs/pku_adult_booklet.pdf
These patients really should not eat any eggs,meat, dairy or flour.
Thanks for taking care of him,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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