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22881 Methylmalonic Acid

Methylmalonic Acid
Test Code: MMA
Synonyms/Keywords
Methylmalonic acid quantitative - serum, MMA​
Useful For
Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a metabolite that accumulates when vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is unavailable as a cofactor for converting methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA.  Measurement of MMA is helpful as a confirmatory test for patients with borderline low serum vitamin B12 levels.  A normal MMA result rules out B12 deficiency states.​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​
Red Top Tube
(RTT)​
Serum Separator Tube
(SST)​
 3 mL​ 2.2 mL​ 1.5 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Refrigerate​ 1 week​
Freeze​ 1 year​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Tuesday, Friday​ 6-8 hours​ UPLC MS/MS (Waters TQ-XS LC Tandem Mass Spectrometry system)
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ < or = 0.40 umol/L​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83921​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Methylmalonic acid quantitative - serum, MMA​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Methylmalonic Acid
​Cerner ​Methylmalonic Acid Quantitative
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​
Red Top Tube
(RTT)​
Serum Separator Tube
(SST)​
 3 mL​ 2.2 mL​ 1.5 mL​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ Refrigerate​ 1 week​
Freeze​ 1 year​
Useful For
Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a metabolite that accumulates when vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is unavailable as a cofactor for converting methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA.  Measurement of MMA is helpful as a confirmatory test for patients with borderline low serum vitamin B12 levels.  A normal MMA result rules out B12 deficiency states.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​ < or = 0.40 umol/L​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Tuesday, Friday​ 6-8 hours​ UPLC MS/MS (Waters TQ-XS LC Tandem Mass Spectrometry system)
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83921​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.