Vitamin B3 Profile (Niacin Metabolism: Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid, NAD)

Beschrijving

Overview

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is central to cellular energy metabolism through its role in NAD⁺ and NADP⁺, which are essential cofactors in redox reactions, mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and cellular stress responses.

Because vitamin B3 functions primarily through these coenzymes, a functional assessment benefits from measuring multiple niacin-related compounds, rather than a single marker.

What This Test Measures

This profile includes:

• Nicotinamide
  The predominant circulating form of vitamin B3 and a key NAD precursor.
• Nicotinic acid
  A dietary and supplemental form of niacin.
• NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
  A central coenzyme in energy production and redox balance.
• Total vitamin B3 (expressed as nicotinamide equivalents)
  Provides an integrated view of vitamin B3 availability and utilization.

Clinical Use

This profile is helpful for:

• Evaluating energy metabolism and mitochondrial function
• Investigating fatigue, cognitive symptoms, mood disturbances
• Assessing NAD⁺-related metabolic stress
• Monitoring niacin or NAD-precursor supplementation

Altered patterns may reflect increased metabolic turnover, impaired synthesis from tryptophan, or high cellular demand.

Method

Quantification is performed by LC–MS/MS.

Sample Requirement

• •  Whole blood

Suitable for postal submission.