HVA / VMA Ratio (Males Age 13 and Over)

The HVA/VMA ratio reflects the balance between dopamine and norepinephrine/ epinephrine production by catecholamine producing neurons in the central nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, and adrenal gland.

- A common reason for an elevation of the HVA/VMA ratio is a decreased conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. The enzyme responsible for this conversion, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), is copper and vitamin C dependent so an elevated ratio could be due to deficiencies of these cofactors.

- Another common reasons for this elevated ratio is inhibition of this enzyme by Clostridia byproducts including HPHPA, 4-cresol, or 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid.

- Other causes of an increased ratio include inhibition of DBH by the mold metabolite fusaric acid, pharmaceuticals such as disulfiram, or food additives like aspartame.

- Another cause for an elevated ratio is a genetic variation (single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP) of the DBH enzyme. Alternatively, the activity of the DBH enzyme can be measured on blood serum.

- High ratios are common in a large number of neuropsychiatric diseases regardless of the reason for DBH deficiency.

The Organic Acids Test measures levels of HVA (homovanillic acid) and VMA (vanillylmandelic acid), the metabolites of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and epinephrine/norepinephrine. It also measures the ratio of the two metabolites.