Methylmalonic Acid

Overview:

Converting methylmalonic acid onward requires vitamin B12, so when B12 is insufficient inside cells, methylmalonic acid accumulates. This makes it a functional marker: it reflects whether B12 is actually doing its job rather than simply how much is present. That is useful because serum B12 results are often borderline and can be misleading, reading normal in people who are genuinely deficient. A raised methylmalonic acid with a borderline B12 supports a true deficiency. Kidney impairment also raises the level, so kidney function is taken into account when interpreting the result.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients, Metabolic

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker