What is Tiglylglycine (TG)? And Why Does the Toxin Zoomer Test for It?

Isoleucine catabolite organic acid

Tiglylglycine (TG) is a urinary organic acid produced during the breakdown of the amino acid isoleucine. Its concentration reflects intermediate mitochondrial amino‑acid and acyl‑CoA handling, so changes can reveal patterns of metabolic stress or disrupted intermediary metabolism. Measuring TG adds biochemical context to other metabolic and detox markers.

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Tiglylglycine (TG)

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About Tiglylglycine (TG)

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About Tiglylglycine (TG)

Overview and History

Tiglylglycine is a glycine conjugate of a tiglyl intermediate formed during isoleucine catabolism. Biochemically it belongs to the organic acid family measured in urine and is detectable with high-sensitivity methods such as LC‑MS/MS used in organic acid testing panels. Clinically, TG was identified in organic acid profiles as a marker that can rise when specific mitochondrial dehydrogenase or acyl‑CoA handling steps are slowed or overloaded. Its presence and pattern alongside other organic acids, acylcarnitines, and genetic data help characterize how cells are processing branched‑chain amino acids and related energy pathways.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Elevated urinary TG may indicate a bottleneck in isoleucine breakdown or altered mitochondrial acyl‑CoA metabolism; it is often seen alongside other organic acid changes that suggest metabolic stress or impaired enzymatic steps. Associations include inherited enzyme variation, transient metabolic stress, or influences that affect mitochondrial function. Low or normal TG values typically reflect expected processing given current diet and metabolic state; very low values alone are usually non‑specific. TG results should be interpreted with the full Toxin Zoomer panel—other metabolites, heavy metals, PFAS, mycotoxins, and detoxification genetics—to identify broader patterns rather than single‑marker conclusions.

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TG is included in the Toxin Zoomer because it reports on mitochondrial amino‑acid and acyl‑CoA metabolism, a pathway sensitive to environmental toxicants and genetic detox capacity. As part of the combined toxicant and genetics view, TG helps clinicians link exposure burden and metabolic processing, supporting more personalized interpretation of metabolic resilience and stress.

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Tiglylglycine (TG) FAQs

What is Tiglylglycine (TG) and why is it important?

TG is a small organic acid the body produces when breaking down the amino acid isoleucine. Its urinary level offers a window into mitochondrial intermediary metabolism and how well certain acyl‑CoA steps are functioning. That matters because these pathways affect cellular energy and how the body handles toxic or stressful metabolic loads.

What does it mean if my Tiglylglycine (TG) levels are low?

Low or normal TG levels usually mean isoleucine breakdown and related mitochondrial steps are proceeding within expected limits for that moment. Low values can reflect recent diet, fasting, or sample timing and are often non‑specific by themselves. Clinicians interpret low TG alongside other metabolites and detox genetics to understand the broader metabolic picture.

What does it mean if my Tiglylglycine (TG) levels are high?

Higher TG levels can suggest a relative slowdown or block in isoleucine catabolism or altered mitochondrial acyl‑CoA handling, and they are commonly evaluated with other organic acids and metabolic markers. Elevated TG may be associated with inherited enzyme differences, metabolic stress, or factors that impair mitochondrial function; interpretation requires the full Toxin Zoomer context and clinical correlation.

Why is Tiglylglycine (TG) included in the Toxin Zoomer?

TG provides a targeted readout of branched‑chain amino‑acid and acyl‑CoA metabolism, pathways that interact with toxicant burden and detox genetics. Measuring TG alongside toxins, PFAS, mycotoxins, and detox variants helps providers detect metabolic patterns, prioritize follow‑up, and tailor interpretation to individual exposure and biology.

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