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:
The measurement of urinary methylmalonic acid is used in the management of patients with methylmalonic aciduria. This condition is caused by impaired conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA and arises from defects of the apoenzyme or of the procustion of the cofactor adenosyl cobalamin. Some of these disorders are clinically responsive to pharmacological doses of B12.
Specimen container paediatric:
Plain universal container
Specimen container adult:
Plain universal container
Minimum volume paediatric:
2 mL urine
Minimum volume adult:
2 mL urine
Interpretation:
Propionyl carnitine and propionyl-/acetylcarnitine ratio also measured. Results interpretated together with the MMA.
Reference ranges:
MMA: <6.5 mmol/mol creatinine
Propionylcarnitine: 0.06 – 1.32 mmol/mol creatinine
Propionyl-/Acetylcarnitine ratio: 0.01 – 0.34