MMA test

[lucylocks]

Hi

does anyone know if you can get the MMA test on the NHS.

I have had a telephone consultation with my doctor after I sent in my Medichecks Thyroid and Active B12 results.

My Active B12 is 41 range 25.1 - 165 and Viapath recommend to be tested for MMA if level is below 70.

I emailed Medichecks to say Viapath recommend to test MMA if be level is below 70 and asked what their take on it was.

I received this reply,

Our Doctor has come back to me with a response to your email. They have advised as follows:

"Active vitamin B12 levels <70 are equivocal for B12 deficiency. In this circumstance an MMA is helpful to determine if a true B12 deficiency is present or not."

I replied asking why they did state this on their results report but I have not received a reply.

My doctor said he did not think the test was routinely available on the NHS, so could I find out more about it and let him know.

Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

lucylocks

What a lazy GP, why can't he find out, he'd have much easier access to this information than a patient.

A Google search, on the first page, brings up 3 NHS hospitals which mention it

Leeds leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-servi...

South Tees southtees.nhs.uk/services/p...

North Bristol nbt.nhs.uk/severn-pathology...

and it's mentioned on B12 deficiency website as being available on the NHS

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Serum MMA - (methylmalonic acid) is available on the NHS although not routinely used, it is however a very useful indicator of B12 deficiency. It is widely available through private labs.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SeasideSusie]

I suspect even labs that don't actually perform the test itself have an arrangement to get a neighbouring lab to do it.

[lucylocks in reply to helvella]

Thank you,

my Trust is Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, I have looked on their pathology website and did not see any mention of MMA.

Wonder why some Trusts do it and not others.

I will get back to my doctor and ask if a neighbouring lab. would do it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to lucylocks]

I'd call the path lab yourself. Remember the full name as well methylmalonic acid!

There are quite a number of tests that not all labs do. Maybe the volume is just not great enough to justify for every lab. Or not available from the company that supplies the analysers at one one - but is from another company.

[lucylocks in reply to helvella]

That is a good idea about calling the path lab. I wasn't sure if we were allowed to do that, or if they would give the information out, I can but try.

Many thanks.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to lucylocks]

Well, they could always not answer!

But it seems like the best way of finding out.

[lucylocks in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you,

yes I saw the Southtees.nhs. do it when I did a search, but did not see the other two.

My trust is Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, I've looked on their pathology website but could not any mention of MMA. I wonder why some trusts do it and not others.

Many thanks for the links.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Only via St Thomas’s in London possibly

viapath.co.uk/our-tests/act...

Roughly where in the U.K. are you

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Serum MMA - (methylmalonic acid) is available on the NHS although not routinely used, it is however a very useful indicator of B12 deficiency. It is widely available through private labs.

[lucylocks in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

my Trust is Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, I have had a look at their pathology website but could not see any mention of MMA.

Many thanks for the links.

[john159]

Medichecks found my Active B12 at 39.1 (range 37.5-187.5). They recommended an MMA test which would mean going to Carlisle Hospital for a blood sample and then I think Medichecks would analyse it. I think it would cost about £150. I started on B12 shots instead and noticed a general improvement. After a few weeks I got my level tested again by Medichecks. It was offscale and they told me to stop taking any B12 supplements which I ignored. I wouldnt mind an MMA test just to see what it was but I think that would mean coming off the B12 injections.

[lucylocks in reply to john159]

When did you have the Active B12 test with Medichecks as your range is different to mine.

Also my level is 41 and they did say anything about recommending the MMA, I had to email them about Viapath saying under 70 should be tested for MMA.

Viapath can test Serum B12, Active B12 and MMA for £60, so a lot cheaper than Medichecks.

Do you get the shots from the doctor or do them yourself ?

[QUE6T-33 in reply to lucylocks]

Hi Lucylocks, do Viapath do the Active B12 via their blood spot home test ?

[lucylocks in reply to QUE6T-33]

Hi no they don’t. I have just had a quick look and you have to have the blood drawn by a professional. Here is the link

nutris.viapath.co.uk/pages/...

Medichecks do it by home finger blood spot test though.

Hope this helps.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to lucylocks]

Ok, thank you 🤗

[QUE6T-33 in reply to lucylocks]

Yep, I’ve used Medichecks - thanks

[john159]

Hi lucylocks test done a year ago please see screenshot of my results. I do them myself by reading all the details from the experienced members who have left all the instructions and tips on this forum

Medichecks B12 test

[lucylocks in reply to john159]

They must have change the range recently then, my test was last month.

I have spoken to my G.P. regarding MMA test but he said he was not sure if they do it on the NHS.

From my replies to my post you can see some NHS path labs. do it.

Good to hear the shots are helping you.