Published: 2014-03-25 years Updated: 2020-05-12
Author: World of People with Disabilities | Contact: www.disabled-world.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
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Summary: Trimethylaminuria or TMAU is a rare metabolic disorder also known as Fish Odor Syndrome or Fishy Odor Syndrome that produces a fishy body odor. TMAU is listed as a rare disease, which means that TMAU, or a subtype of TMAU, affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. population. For some people with this condition it is possible to live a relatively normal, healthy life without fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant smell.
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Main announcement
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare metabolic disorder, also known as fish odor syndrome or poor fish syndrome. THAU is a rare genetic disorder in which the human body’s metabolism cannot change the chemical trimethylamine, symptoms are usually present from birth. Trimethylamine is notable for its unpleasant fishy odor. It’s the chemical that gives rotten fish its bad smell. When normal metabolism fails, trimethylamine builds up in the body and its odor is detected in the person’s sweat, urine, and breath.
Trimethylaminuria can affect men, women, and children, from infants to the elderly, in most countries around the world. When a person tends to emit a strong fishy odor, it may be caused by a compound called trimethylamine or TMAU.
TMAU causes a defect in the normal production of the Flavin enzyme containing monooxygenase 3. Trimethylamine accumulates in the body of trimethylaminuria patients. Trimethylamine is released in the person’s sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath, producing a strong body odor or fishy odor.
People with trimethylaminuria end up with a build-up of trimethylamine, which is then excreted through their sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath. Many people have trimethylaminuria, colloquially known as “fish malodor syndrome”, also suffer from depression due to the disruption trimethylaminuria can have on social life, relationships or career.
TMAU is listed as a “rare disease” by the Office of Infertility Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that TMAU, or a subtype of TMAU, affects fewer than 200,000 people in the US population.
This condition seems to be more common in women than men, for unknown reasons. According to the National Institute of Human Genome Research, scientists think it may be due to higher levels of female sex hormones such as progesterone and/or estrogen, which aggravate symptoms.
Currently, there is no cure and limited treatment options for TMAU. For some people with this condition it is possible to live a relatively normal, healthy life without fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant smell. Getting tested is an important first step because a simple urine test will give you the answer; A blood test is available to provide genetic analysis. The prominent enzyme responsible for TMA N oxidation is the FMO3 gene.
Ways that can help get rid of fishy odors include avoiding foods that contain trimethylamine and its precursors such as:
- Egg
- Liver
- Peas
- Bean
- Kidney
- Peanut
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Soybean products
- Brussels sprouts
- Milk from wheat-fed cows,
- Lecithin supplements and fish oil containing lecithin
- Seafood (Freshwater fish lower in trimethylamine N-oxide)
Also try:
- Use a soap with a moderate pH, between 5.5 and 6.5
- Avoid factors that promote sweating, such as exercise, stress, and emotional turmoil.
- Take low-dose antibiotics to reduce the number of bacteria such as trimethylamine in the gut
- Take activated charcoal or other supplements to reduce the concentration of free trimethylamine in the urine
- Take a riboflavin (vitamin B2) supplement to enhance FMO3 enzyme activity. The recommended amount is 30 to 40mg taken 3 to 5 times daily with food.
Check TMAU
The only test for trimethylaminuria at this time is a urine test for elevated trimethylamine levels.
A similar test can be used to identify these carriers – individuals who carry one copy of the mutated gene but have no symptoms. In this case, the person will be given a high dose of choline (one of the precursors of trimethylamine) and then have their urine tested for high levels of trimethylamine.
Dealing with trimethylamuinuria can be painful and mentally isolating, but proper therapy and medical treatment can be really helpful in easing some of its symptoms and consequences.
Support
- Magazine: The world of people with disabilities. English language. Author: Monell Chemical Senses Center. Electronic Publication Date: 2017-02-15. Last modified date: 2020-05-12. Reference Title: “Potential new causes of TMAU – Fishy Body Odor Disorder“, Source: Potential New Causes of TMAU – Fishy Body Odor Disorder. Summary: Study provides new insights into the cause of trimethylaminura, a metabolic disorder transmitted through genetics leads to the build-up of a chemical that smells like rotting fish Accessed 2020-05 -12, from https://www.disabled-world.com/news/research/tmau.php – Catalog Number Ref: DW #108-12696.
- USA Foundation – The Trimethylaminuria Foundation is a 501 3(C) nonprofit corporation. The address is PO BOX 3361, Grand Central Station, New York, NY, 10163. Phone: 212-300-4168.
- Foundation Australia – A charitable, non-profit organization with tax-exempt status and withholding tax on donor income. 8 Ingram Street, Kensington, NSW 2033, AUSTRALIA Phone: 61 2 9663 0431
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• Cite This Page (APA): Disability World. (2014, March 25). Trimethylaminuria (TMAU): Fishy body odor. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 28, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/tmau-trimethylaminuria.php
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