Specimen Requirements
Title
METHYLMALONIC ACID, SERUM
Specimen Requirement
1 SST/1.0 mL serum. After 30 minutes of clotting, promptly centrifuge.
Methodology
Stability
Room Temperature Unacceptable, Refrigerated 4 days, Frozen 14 days
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
1-3 DAYS -- PERFORMED MON, WED, THURS, FRI
Clinical Use
Methylmalonic acid is a very sensitive indicator of Vitamin B12 deficiency at the tissue level. Mildly elevated levels (0.4-1.0 umol/L) are seen in patients with decreased renal function. Extremely high levels (>20 umol/L) are indicative of methylmalonic acidemia, an inborn error of metabolism disorder.
Test Code
MMA/A