Optimal Result:
0 - 3 ug/mgCR.
Pimelic acid, found in urine, is a significant metabolic marker that provides insights into various biochemical processes within the body. This compound is a dicarboxylic acid that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of biotin, an essential B-vitamin necessary for numerous metabolic functions, including the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Elevated levels of pimelic acid in the urine can indicate disruptions in biotin metabolism, which may result from dietary deficiencies, genetic disorders, or other metabolic conditions. Monitoring pimelic acid levels can help identify potential biotin deficiencies or malabsorption issues, guiding dietary adjustments and interventions. Additionally, this marker can be associated with the gut microbiome's health, as certain bacteria produce pimelic acid. Imbalances in these microbial populations can impact overall health and nutrient absorption. Therefore, understanding and interpreting pimelic acid levels in urine can provide valuable information about an individual's nutritional status and metabolic health, helping to tailor personalized health strategies.
Lab Results Explained and Tracked
What does it mean if your Pimelic Acid result is too high?
Elevated levels of pimelic acid in urine can be indicative of several underlying metabolic and health issues. Primarily, high levels of pimelic acid are often associated with disruptions in biotin metabolism. This may occur due to genetic disorders such as biotinidase deficiency or holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, which affect the body's ability to process and utilize biotin effectively. These genetic conditions can lead to an accumulation of pimelic acid as a byproduct of impaired metabolic pathways.
Another significant implication of elevated pimelic acid levels is a potential biotin deficiency. When the body lacks sufficient biotin, it may compensate by increasing the production of pimelic acid. This can be due to inadequate dietary intake of biotin-rich foods or poor absorption of biotin from the digestive tract. Conditions affecting the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease or dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut microbiota), can also lead to elevated pimelic acid levels, as they can impair nutrient absorption and alter the production of metabolic byproducts.
Additionally, elevated pimelic acid levels can be a marker of excessive intake of certain dietary components or supplements that influence biotin metabolism. For instance, excessive consumption of raw egg whites, which contain avidin—a protein that binds biotin and prevents its absorption—can lead to increased pimelic acid levels.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
What does it mean if your Pimelic Acid result is too low?
Low levels of pimelic acid in urine can indicate several potential issues related to metabolic and nutritional health. Primarily, reduced levels of pimelic acid may suggest an insufficiency in the body's production or utilization of biotin. Since pimelic acid is involved in biotin synthesis, low levels might reflect a disruption in this pathway, possibly due to a deficiency in precursor compounds or cofactors necessary for biotin production. Additionally, low pimelic acid levels could point to a dietary deficiency of biotin, leading to inadequate levels of this essential vitamin required for various metabolic functions.
Furthermore, low levels of pimelic acid may also signal issues related to the gut microbiome. Since certain gut bacteria produce pimelic acid, a reduction could indicate an imbalance or depletion of these beneficial bacteria. This microbial imbalance can affect overall digestive health and nutrient absorption. In some cases, low pimelic acid levels might also be linked to genetic factors affecting metabolic pathways.
In summary, low urinary pimelic acid levels can be a marker for biotin deficiency, disruptions in biotin metabolism, dietary insufficiencies, or gut microbiome imbalances, all of which can have significant implications for an individual's overall metabolic and nutritional health. Identifying and addressing the underlying causes can help in restoring balance and improving health outcomes.
Article Review & Sources
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We're committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
