Methylmalonic acid tests

[helvella]

Have just been looking around at various B12 and B12-related tests. Was surprised to see both blood and urine tests for MMA.

Any opinions on whether one is in any way better than the other? (Apart from the obvious of ease of sample collection.)

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Urine is the better test - there are a couple of things that can raise MMA and there are better markers to identify which is the cause in the urine test

[helvella in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you - had expected either equal or blood being better. Very glad I asked.

[Polaris]

It's generally preferred - MMA is 40 times more concentrated in the urine than in blood.

However, there is no reliable test and many people with normal MMA can still have symptoms and be B12 deficient.

[fbirder]

The NHS won't give you a urinary test.

Serum MMA is just as good, providing you don't have dodgy kidneys. If you have raised MMA and lowered B12 then you almost certainly have a B12 deficiency. If you have raised MMA and high B12 then a kidney screen would be advisable to rule that out.

[helvella in reply to fbirder]

It would have to be a private test. Yes - I have picked myself off the floor having looked at prices.

If anyone does know of a decently priced private source for this test, I'd appreciate you letting me know.

[Jo5454]

Hi Helvella, have you checked St Thomas NHS hospital? When I had an active b12 test earli in the year it was £30, then you were given a free MMa Test if the results were inbetween 25-70. But I'm sure it it did say an MMA test on its own was £96. I wanted to know my active b12, so was the lucky enough to get the MMA. Mine turned out to be very high and was diagnosed with a functional b12 def, so well worth it seeing as I was getting nowhere with the NHS (they just told me I wasn't I'll enough for such tests!)HOWEVER another member on here has recently told me the active b12 test has gone up to £90 now, quite a jump, but you don't need a Dr's referral now, but unsure whether the MMA has risen or stayed the same?

Would be worth a check...good luck

[helvella in reply to Jo5454]

Thank you. Geography rather militates against them - unfortunately. The private labs seem to be of the order of £200. Which feels high. Nonetheless I shall follow this up.

[Jo5454 in reply to helvella]

Sorry helvella, forget to say it's a postal test! Got a persistent infection at the mo, so a bit more doolally than usual! Had to have blood drawn as late in the day as possible to catch the last Post. I tried to ring Denise Oblein yday to find the price, but she was out of office, but will try again.

[helvella in reply to Jo5454]

Aha - see what you mean.

Thanks.