Update Type: Test Down or Delayed
Test Updated: 10/02/2024
Test Overview
Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectometry (LC-MS/MS)

Test Usage

Used for evaluating patients displaying symptoms of methylmalonic acidemia and related disorders. And used for evaluating patients displaying symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency (cobalamin deficiency).

Reference Range *

Less than or equal to 0.40 umol/L.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Tuesday, Friday
Analytic Time

5 - 10 days

Soft Order Code
MMA
MiChart Code
Methylmalonic Acid
Synonyms
  • Methylmalonate
  • Methylmalonate, Serum
  • MMA, Serum
  • MMAS
  • METHYLMALONIC ACID, SERUM
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Special Chemistry
STAT Availability

STAT analysis must be approved by the Pediatric Geneticist on Call.

Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect blood in a red top or SST tube. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and refrigerate. Grossly hemolytic or grossly lipemic specimens are unacceptable. Specimens can be stored or shipped at ambient temperature for a maximum of 3 days. Samples can usually be shipped at ambient temperature; however, during high summer temperatures, please ship the sample with ice packs.

Normal Volume
2 mL serum
Minimum Volume
1 mL serum
Storage Temperature
Ambient 3 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C) 7 days; Frozen (-20°C) 3 months.
Rejection Criteria
A grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is unacceptable.
Additional Information

Elevated methylmalonic acid levels >5 umol/L will be reported to the MMGL Biochemical Genetics Lab director for evaluation of a possible metabolic disorder. Test may include medical geneticist interpretation of results at an additional charge. By ordering this test, the clinician acknowledges that a physician interpretation will be performed and billed as a separate additional charge if indicated.

Billing
CPT Code
83921
Fee Code
DA151
LOINC
13964-2