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Copyright 1994, 1995, 1999, 2005
NORD is grateful to Elizabeth Shephard, PhD, Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University College London, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Synonyms of Trimethylaminuria
- Fish Odor Syndrome
- Flavin Containing Monooxygenase 3
- FMO3
- FMO, Adult Liver Form
- Stale Fish Syndrome
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Trimethylaminuria is a rare disorder in which the body’s metabolic processes fail to alter the chemical trimethylamine. Trimethylamine is notable for its unpleasant 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. The consequences of emitting a foul odor can be socially and psychologically damaging among adolescents and adults. The genetic or primary form of this disorder is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.
A secondary form of trimethylaminuria may result from the side effects of treatment with large doses of the amino acid derivative L-carnitine (levocarnitine). The metabolic deficiency occurs as a result of a failure in the cell to make a specific protein, in this case, the enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase3. Enzymes are nature’s catalysts and act to speed up biochemical activities. Without this enzyme, foods containing carnitine, choline and/or trimethylamine-N-oxide are processed to trimethylamine and no further, causing a strong fishy odor. This secondary form of the disorder is a result of an overload of trimethylamine. In this case, there is not enough of the enzyme to get rid of the excess trimethylamine.
Organizations related to Trimethylaminuria
- CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)
Climb Building
176 Nantwich Road
Crewe Intl CW2 6BG
Phone #: +44- 87-0 7700 325
800 #: --
e-mail: info.svcs@climb.org.uk
Home page: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: ordr@od.nih.gov
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx
- MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- Trimethylaminuria Foundation
P.O. Box 3361
Grand Central Station
New York NY 10163-3361
Phone #: 212-300-4168
800 #: --
e-mail: theTFnetwk@aol.com
Home page: N/A
- Trimethylaminuria Midwest Region Foundation
12537 Hardy Street
Overland Park KS 66213-1446
Phone #: 913-906-9496
800 #: --
e-mail: EMPORIA962000@YAHOO.COM
Home page: N/A
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