Methylmalonic Acid (MMA), Serum LabCorp

Serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) measurement is used to evaluate individuals with signs and symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency or congenital methylmalonic academia. MMA is a four-carbon molecule which is a product of the metabolic breakdown of valine, isoleucine, and propionic acid. Vitamin B12 is a critical cofactor for the conversion of MMA to succinate. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency causes an accumulation of MMA in the serum. MMA concentrations will often become elevated into eh early stages of vitamin B12, while serum vitamin B12 levels are within normal range. Consequently, MMA measurement is used as a diagnostic test for vitamin B12 deficiency in persons with a low or low-normal serum vitamin B12 concentration.