This at-home uMMA test kit for Vitamin B12 Deficiency is the most accurate lab test on the market. It’s a simple urine test which is easy to collect and return for a reliable and sensitive analysis in a CLIA certified lab.
Vitamin B12 is essential for producing energy for the cell, and when there is not enough, a substance called MMA (methylmalonic acid) is not used up, accumulates in the cell, spills out into the blood and is filtered by the kidney into the urine – where we measure it.
MMA levels are recognized as being a more accurate way of detecting B12 deficiency than B12 blood levels – even mild deficiency. High MMA levels mean that there is not enough B12 in the cells to produce energy.
A lot more MMA is found in the urine than in blood. This makes it easier to detect when it is even slightly elevated and a more sensitive. test. It also doesn’t degrade for several weeks, so your sample will reach the lab in good time to be tested accurately.
Vitamin B12 is needed in every cell of the body for the production of energy. It also works with folate to produce an essential amino acid (methionine) that is vital for your genes to produce proteins and lipids for the cell.
B12 deficiency can cause fatigue and low energy, anemia as well as brain and spinal cord problems. This can lead to difficulty with balance and walking and can be irreversible if not recognized early and treated with B12.
B12 deficiency is strongly associated with cognitive impairment and the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. These conditions can respond well to B12 supplementation if detected early.
Vegans and vegetarians are especially vulnerable to B12 deficiency because B12 is only found in animal sourced foods. Pregnant women also need more B12 because it is needed for the baby’s brain development.
40% of people who take metformin for diabetes have B12 deficiency. This aggravates the neuropathy that is common in diabetes and can lead to serious problems. Antacids or Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn can also cause B12 deficiency.
Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) often causes B12 deficiency by removing the part of the stomach that makes Intrinsic Factor (IF) which is necessary for B12 absorption. Autoimmune diseases can also destroy IF causing a disease called Pernicious Anemia.
MMA can be measured in blood, but is more accurate when measured in the urine, as long as we take into account how well the kidneys are working. We do this by measuring a substance called creatine that is filtered into the urine by the kidneys. When we compare the urinary MMA to urinary creatinine ratio, it improves the accuracy of the MMA test in urine when compared to blood, because it is not affected by mild to moderate decrease in kidney function.
The uMMA test results are reported in specific units. The units are mcg MMA/mg creatinine. Normal vitamin B12 status is indicated when the result is below 3.8 mcg MMA/mg creatinine. A result above 3.8 is confirmation of B12 deficiency.
Doctors typically do measure vitamin B12 levels, and some may measure blood MMA levels. However the urinary test for MMA is not nearly as available in laboratories, despite it being much more accurate and reliable.
The urine sample has shown to be stable (even in a warm environment) for up to 3 weeks. If the sample arrives at the laboratory within 3 weeks of specimen collection date, then it is unlikely that the results will be negatively affected. Our test vials also have a small amount of preservative, which help keep it stable for analysis.
Your results will first be sent to you via email from results@xeragenx.com, followed by a hard copy mailed to your home address.
P.S. – Occasionally emails may be placed in your spam folder, be sure to check your spam folder if 10 days have gone by since sending in your sample.
Short answer. No! You can collect the urine sample at any time of day or night. Fasting before collecting the urine sample is not necessary.
