Methylmalonic (MMA) and methymalonate tests, are they one and the same thing

[Noelnoel]

Would value your knowledge because my husband has had both. The Medichecks methylmalonic was positive, <32, his was 34.7 and the NHS methymalonate (the one in the photo) was negative. The NHS IFa was also negative, so now we’re concerned the specialist will dismiss the positive one

Knowing if there’s a difference between the two would be useful. Having googled it, I can’t find anything satisfactory

Thank you

[Narwhal10]

Hi Noelnoel,

Just a quickie. Crop the photograph a bit so you leave out confidential information of GP Surgery at top and bottom.

[Noelnoel in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you Narwhal. Done!

[Technoid]

I believe its the same thing.

[Narwhal10]

Fab. It is easily done. Like Technoid, I believe it is the same.

The biggest problem is different laboratories and even different Trusts, Integrated Care Boards set all different ranges for cut- off levels. This is colloquially known as the Postcode Lottery. It is to do with Commissioning and Finance. Basically, your Integrated Care Board has a Budget and each year they allocate funds on what they are going to spend their money on and what Services. So, they have a pot for staff, equipment, electricity, A & E, paediatrics, Maternal Health, Oncology, Cardiac, I.T. etc, etc.

When people understand that each ICB, Trust or Health Board is a Business and as a Midwife, often some of us would take nappies into work. Now why would that be ?

I do hope you have a great Specialist who listens and is open to what you have to say. Do mention the Cambridge person. Name dropping can have its uses.

😉

[Peder1962]

MMA (and homocystein) was previously supposed to always get high at b12 defiency. Modern research show that you can be b12 deficient with all tests normal. Symptoms comes first, and b12 specialists sets diagnose from symptoms, where tests only can support the diagnose, never exklude. A real b12 specialist also can check the following test which often are affected - LD MCH MCV HB transferrin ferritin iron. Then all symptoms plus valueing the test to a diagnose.

There are several research that shows that MMA is not a definitive test for b12 defiency. Here is one:

njmonline.nl/getpdf.php?id=...