Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
For the diagnosis of Trimethylaminuria (aka Fish Odour Syndrome)
Specimen container paediatric:
Urine – acidified
Specimen container adult:
Urine – acidified
Minimum volume paediatric:
20 mL
Minimum volume adult:
20 mL
Special requirements:
Random urine must be acidified to pH 2 with 6M hydrochloric acid ASAP after arrival in the lab.
Collect 24 hour urine in HCl containing container.
Recommend patients have a ‘choline load’ the day before their first urine collection – e.g. 2 meals containing 2 eggs + 400g beans [50%less for children under 10].
Sample stability:
Freeze sample
Transport requirements:
Sample sent frozen
Reference ranges:
TMA: < 7.7 μmol/mmol creatinine
TMANO: < 119μmol/mmol creatinine
% N-oxidation: > 90-94%
Other Info:
Dimethylglycine is no longer part of the profile. If required, it must be requested separately.
Referral Laboratory: Chemical Pathology and Neonatal Screening Lab, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TH