Indicator Explainer
Lysine
One of nine essential amino acids in humans required for growth and tissue repair, Lysine is supplied by many foods, especially red meats, fish, and dairy products. Lysine seems to be active against herpes simplex viruses and present in many forms of diet supplements. The mechanism underlying this effect is based on the viral need for amino acid arginine; lysine competes with arginine for absorption and entry into cells. Lysine inhibits HSV growth by knocking out arginine. (NCI04)
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C29171. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-20. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Lysine (C29171)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C29171. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) regulates macrophage plasticity and immune checkpoint expression in colorectal liver metastases. — Mol Biomed, 2026-10-20 (PMID 42900293; literature)
- High-energy diets with reduced digestible lysine for Japanese laying quails under thermoneutral conditions: effects on laying performance, egg quality, and profitability. — Trop Anim Health Prod, 2026-10-18 (PMID 42894048; literature)
- The Lysine Methyltransferase SETDB1 Alleviates Methionine- and Choline-Deficient Diet-Induced Steatohepatitis by Suppressing Ferroptosis. — J Biol Chem, 2026-10-23 (PMID 42918499; literature)
- Dialdehyde cellulose-l-lysine Schiff base conjugate synergistically modulates water status, texture, and antibacterial activity of wheat gluten. — Food Chem, 2026-10-21 (PMID 42914851; literature)
- Vestibule Engineering of MspA Nanopores Enables Single-Molecule Detection of Protein Tag Reporters and Lysine Acetylation via Geometric Repositioning. — ACS Sens, 2026-10-25 (PMID 42927602; literature)