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Common biomarkers

  • Hemoglobin
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  • ALT
  • Apolipoprotein B
  • C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac
  • Ferritin
  • Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • FSH
  • T4,Free(Direct)

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

PopulationInterval
≤30 days87-580 nmol/L
31 days-11 months62-377 nmol/L
12-23 months55-347 nmol/L
2-59 years55-335 nmol/L
60-79 years69-390 nmol/L
≥80 years85-423 nmol/L

Quest Diagnostics test catalog, 34879

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

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 30517

    2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method 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
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page
  • Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 91003

    2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method 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
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page
  • Pernicious Anemia Diagnostic Panel 91304

    3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method 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
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page
  • Cognitive Assessment Panel with Reflex to T4 Free 18634

    8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method 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
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

Labcorp 3 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma 706961

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 6 days

    Method 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
    Labcorp catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Post-Bariatric Surgery Comprehensive Profile 259090

    50 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 7 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page
  • Pre-Bariatric Surgery Comprehensive Profile 259141

    50 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 7 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page

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Goals and conditions

We link Methylmalonic Acid to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.

Sources

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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