What is Methylmalonic acid?
Methylmalonic acid is a compound that reacts with vitamin B-12 to produce coenzyme A (CoA).
What is Coenzyme A?
Coenzyme A is essential to normal cellular function. Coenzyme A is involved in hundreds of reactions and is required for the metabolism of fatty acids, carbohydrates, amino acids and ketone bodies.
Why perform the methylmalonic acid test?
When vitamin B-12 deficiencies occur, methylmalonic acid levels increase. Measurement of methylmalonic acid through the methylmalonic acid test can provide your doctor with information about an existing vitamin deficiency, especially if the B-12 deficiency is mild or just beginning.
The methylmalonic acid test is more sensitive than the vitamin B-12 test. As a result, it’s better able to identify vitamin B-12 deficiencies at the lower end of the normal range. The methylmalonic acid test is often used along with the vitamin B-12 test or to clarify ambiguous vitamin B-12 test results.
The methylmalonic acid test may also be ordered if the results of other blood tests are abnormal. For instance, abnormal results from a homocysteine test may prompt your doctor to order the methylmalonic acid test.
What are Symptoms of B-12 deficiency:
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Although higher levels of methylmalonic acid may be an indication of vitamin B-12 deficiency, elevated levels may not warrant immediate treatment. Your doctor may want to monitor your methylmalonic acid levels to determine if your vitamin B-12 deficiency is progressing. Your doctor may also order additional tests to determine the cause of the deficiency. These tests include homocysteine and folate tests (there’s an indirect correlation between abnormal folate levels and abnormal B-12 levels).
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Antiparietal Cell Antibody, Calcitriol (1,25 di-OH Vit D), Copper, Pl, Intrinsic Factor Antibodies (Serum), Intrinsic Factor Blocking Antibody, Manganese, Methylmalonic Acid, Serum, Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid, Phosphate (Phosphorus), Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Plasma, Vitamin B2, Whole Blood, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9 (Folate), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Zinc, RBC
