Biomarkers · Chemical
Methylmalonic Acid
This test measures the amount of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in your blood or urine. MMA is a substance made in small amounts when you digest protein.
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Test, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Also listed as
- Methylmalonic Acid, Serum
- Primary unit
- nmol/L
- LOINC codes
- 13964-2
- Tests that measure Methylmalonic Acid
- Quest Diagnostics 5, Labcorp 3
Ranges
Each lab publishes a reference range for the population groups it tests, usually the middle 95% of results. These intervals describe that population, not an optimal or healthy target. How ranges differ
Quest Diagnostics, Methylmalonic Acid 34879
| Population | Interval |
|---|---|
| ≤30 days | 87-580 nmol/L |
| 31 days-11 months | 62-377 nmol/L |
| 12-23 months | 55-347 nmol/L |
| 2-59 years | 55-335 nmol/L |
| 60-79 years | 69-390 nmol/L |
| ≥80 years | 85-423 nmol/L |
Tests
Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Methylmalonic Acid. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.
Quest Diagnostics 5 tests
Single-analyte tests
Methylmalonic Acid 34879
Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Mass Spectrometry (MS)
Panels that include this biomarker
Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 30517
2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Methylmalonic Acid: Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Homocysteine: Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a transport tube. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Heparin tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath until the specimen can be centrifuged. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible and transfer the plasma to a transport tube.
- Reference notes
- Methylmalonic Acid ≤30 days | 87-580 nmol/L 31 days-11 months | 62-377 nmol/L 12-23 months | 55-347 nmol/L 2-59 years | 55-335 nmol/L 60-79 years | 69-390 nmol/L ≥80 years | 85-423 nmol/L Homocysteine Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4
Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 91003
2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Methylmalonic Acid: Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Homocysteine: Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Heparin tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath until the specimen can be centrifuged. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible and transfer the plasma to a plastic screw-capped vial.
- Reference notes
- Methylmalonic Acid ≤30 days | 87-580 nmol/L 31 days-11 months | 62-377 nmol/L 12-23 months | 55-347 nmol/L 2-59 years | 55-335 nmol/L 60-79 years | 69-390 nmol/L ≥80 years | 85-423 nmol/L Homocysteine Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4
Pernicious Anemia Diagnostic Panel 91304
3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Immunoassay (IA) • Mass Spectrometry (MS)
- Preparation
- Samples should not be collected from a patient who has received vitamin B12 injection therapy within the past week.
- Collection
- Do not expose specimen to light for more than 24 hours. Note: Send serum in an amber tube. If amber tube is not available, wrap tube in aluminum foil to protect from light. Separate serum into three tubes, 1 tube with 2 mL and 2 tubes with 1 mL each. Red-top tube (preferred): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature. Barrier gel separator tube (acceptable): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature. Heparin tube (acceptable): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible (within one hour after collection) and transfer the plasma to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature.
- Reference notes
- See individual tests
Cognitive Assessment Panel with Reflex to T4 Free 18634
8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP) • Immunoturbidimetric • Enzymatic • Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Electronic Cell Sizing/Counting/Cytometry/Microscopy • Immunoassay (IA)
- Preparation
- Fasting is preferred Additional Considerations for Patient Preparation: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Administration of STRENSIQ may interfere in certain assays and may falsely elevate values. For patients receiving STRENSIQ, consideration should be given to using alternate methods. TSH: Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks after angiography. According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values. Folate: Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
- Collection
- Serum for Homocysteine: Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Serum for other tests, 3 SSTs: Collect using standard venipuncture techniques. Separate from clot as soon as possible after visible clot formation, usually 30 minutes after collection. Whole blood, 1 EDTA: Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect lavender-top tube last. Traumatic venipuncture tap can introduce thromboplastin and trap white blood cells and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap white blood cells and platelets.
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Labcorp 3 tests
Single-analyte tests
Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma 706961
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 6 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within one hour of collection.
- Reference notes
- 0−378 nmol/L
Panels that include this biomarker
Post-Bariatric Surgery Comprehensive Profile 259090
50 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 7 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual test components.
Pre-Bariatric Surgery Comprehensive Profile 259141
50 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 7 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual test components.
0 of 5 tests selected
Pick one moreGoals and conditions
We link Methylmalonic Acid to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.
Vitamin B12 and folateGoal, companion marker
NICE suggests serum methylmalonic acid when total or active B12 is indeterminate.
Vitamin B12 deficiencyCondition, ICD-10 E53.8, companion marker
NICE suggests serum methylmalonic acid when total or active B12 is indeterminate.
Sources
3 tests: codes, specimens, methods, preparation and reference intervals.
Quest Diagnostics test catalog
5 tests: codes, specimens, methods, preparation and reference intervals.
Clinical guideline: Vitamin B12 and folate (companion), Vitamin B12 deficiency (companion)
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
The description at the top of this page.
LOINC 13964-2
Regenstrief Institute codes that identify the same result across labs.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for Methylmalonic Acid
Registered studies that measure Methylmalonic Acid, on the U.S. National Library of Medicine registry.
Verify these ranges and sources
We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.
Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.
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