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Methylmalonic Acid (MMA), Urine Quantitative

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6810, Beaker: XMMAU, Mayo: MMAU

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

Collect second-voided specimen after an overnight fast.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): Second-voided specimen after an overnight fast.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) urine specimens prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 4.0 mL urine, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) urine specimens prior to transport.

Transport: 4.0 mL urine, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 21 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 3-5 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Elevated urinary methylmalonic acid is an early and sensitive indicator of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency. Also used to monitor patients with methylmalonic aciduria; diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria requires an organic acid panel and appropriate clinical history.

CPT Codes

83921

Contacts

Last Updated

10/8/2023