Print Page

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU): Fishy Smelling Body Odor

Published: 2014-03-25 - Updated: 2020-05-12
Author: Disabled World - Contact Details
Peer-Reviewed: N/A
Related Papers: Latest Items - Full List

On This Page: Summary - Main Article - About/Author

Synopsis: Trimethylaminuria or TMAU is a rare metabolic disorder also known as Fish Odor Syndrome or Fish Malodor Syndrome that creates a fishy body smell. TMAU is listed as a rare disease, which means that TMAU, or a subtype of TMAU, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. It is possible for some people with this condition to live relatively normal, healthy lives without the fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant odor.

Main Digest

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare metabolic disorder also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome. THAU is a rare genetic disorder in which the human body's metabolic processes fail to alter the chemical trimethylamine, symptoms are often present from birth. Trimethylamine is notable for its unpleasant fishy smell. It is the chemical that gives rotten fish a bad smell. When the normal metabolic process fails, trimethylamine accumulates in the body, and its odor is detected in the person's sweat, urine and breath.

advertisement

Trimethylaminuria can affect men, women, and children, from newborns to the elderly in most countries around the world. When an individual tends to give off a strong fishy smelling body odor it can caused by a compound called trimethylamine or TMAU.

TMAU causes a defect in the normal production of the enzyme Flavin containing monooxygenase 3. Trimethylamine builds up in the body of patients with trimethylaminuria. The trimethylamine gets released in the person's sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath, giving off a strong fishy or body odor.

People with trimethylaminuria end up with a build up of trimethylamine, which is then released through their sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath. Many people who suffer from trimethylaminuria, known colloquially as "fish malodor syndrome," also suffer from depression as a result of disruptions trimethylaminuria can cause to social life, relationships, or career.

TMAU is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that TMAU, or a subtype of TMAU, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.

The condition seems to be more common in women than men, for unknown reasons. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, scientists believe that it could be due to the higher levels of female sex hormones such as progesterone and/or estrogen, aggravate symptoms.

Currently, there is no cure and treatment options are limited for TMAU. It is possible for some people with this condition to live relatively normal, healthy lives without the fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant odor. Getting tested is an important first step as 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-oxygenation is the FMO3 gene.

Ways that may help eliminate the fishy odor include avoiding foods containing trimethylamine and its precursors like:

Also Try:

TMAU Testing

The only test for trimethylaminuria at this time is a urine test for elevated levels of trimethylamine.

A similar test can be used to identify carriers of this condition - those individuals who carry one copy of a mutated gene but do not have symptoms. In this case, the person would be given a high dose of choline (one of the precursors of trimethylamine) and then have their urine tested for elevated levels of trimethylamine.

Dealing with trimethylamuinuria can be emotionally painful and isolating, but therapy and appropriate medical treatment can prove really helpful in alleviating some of its symptoms and repercussions.

Assistance

Share This Information To:
𝕏.com Facebook Reddit

Discover Related Topics:

advertisement


Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. You can connect with us on social media such as X.com and our Facebook page.

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/tmau-trimethylaminuria.php">Trimethylaminuria (TMAU): Fishy Smelling Body Odor</a>

Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2014, March 25). Trimethylaminuria (TMAU): Fishy Smelling Body Odor. Disabled World. Retrieved September 21, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/health/tmau-trimethylaminuria.php

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care, nor should they be construed as such. Funding is derived from advertisements or referral programs. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.