Carnitine, Total Unit Converter

Total carnitine measures the combined amount of free (unconjugated) carnitine and esterified (acyl) carnitine in your blood. Free carnitine is the active form available for use, while esterified carnitine represents carnitine bound to fatty acid chains.

Carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that plays a critical role in energy production. Its primary function is to shuttle long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are burned for fuel.

The ratio of esterified to free carnitine (E/F ratio) is also clinically useful. A ratio greater than 0.4 may suggest carnitine depletion or a fatty acid oxidation disorder.

About 75% of the body's carnitine comes from the diet (primarily red meat and dairy), while the remaining 25% is synthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine, mainly in the liver and kidneys. The kidneys also regulate carnitine levels by reabsorbing about 95-98% of filtered carnitine.