uMMA - B12 Status Test

Methylmalonic Acid Test (uMMA)

(A B12 Status Marker)

$59.95

(A B12 Status Marker)

$59.95

The Vitamin B12 test measures a substance called methylmalonic acid (MMA) in the urine, which is a specific indicator of low B12 status. The more MMA you have, the more likely you are to be low in this critical nutrient. View sample report >

View sample report >

*Currently only available in the USA

How to Choose a B12 Supplement >

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin B12? >

5 Vitamins You Probably Need More Of >

The ABC’s of B Vitamins >

Do you know your number?

Your Vitamin B12 test results are reported in specific units. The units are mmol MMA/mol creatinine (cr). Optimal vitamin B12 status is indicated when the result is below 2.0 mmol MMA/mol cr. A result above 3.8 mmol/mol cr means B12 status is very low and should be confirmed with further testing.

Download sample report >

Vitamin B12 is a crucial nutrient responsible for many
functions. Optimal B12 levels have been linked to
benefits for:

Cells

Heart

Nerves

Pregnancy

Brain

Why Test Your Vitamin B12 Level?

Vitamin B12 is rich in many animal products, so vegans and vegetarians are at risk of having low B12 in their body unless they take a supplement. But most people are not vegetarians and eat enough B12 food sources to meet their needs. However, not everyone is able to absorb it.

Many different conditions, from autoimmune diseases to gut complications, can interrupt B12 absorption. Common medications like proton-pump inhibitors and metformin can also make B12 absorption more difficult. So, often dietary intake is NOT the reason someone has a functional B12 deficiency, which makes testing even more important.

It has been estimated that vitamin B12 deficiency is present in about 20% of the elderly population. Nearly 40% of 3000 subjects in the Framingham Offspring study, were found to be B12 deficient.

Why Do We Test B12 in Urine?

A substantial amount of B12 is stored in the liver and recycled by the body, potentially masking B12 deficiency for up to 10 years! Because of this, B12 levels in the blood don’t always respond quickly to a decrease in B12 absorption. MMA levels in blood and urine respond to functional B12 deficiency at the cellular level early on, so a nutritional solution can help avoid the worst symptoms related to B12 deficiency, such as brain fog and nerve damage.

Measuring MMA levels in the urine (and correcting for creatinine levels) helps reduce the chance that kidney issues are falsely increasing levels, which is not the case for blood MMA levels. 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.

Why is Vitamin B12 so Important?

The B vitamins are known for being important co-factors in energy production in our cells. Vitamin B12 is no different, but it is also involved in the pathway that creates and repairs DNA.

B12 deficiency can cause fatigue and low energy, anemia, and 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.

Who is at Risk of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Vegans and vegetarians are especially vulnerable to B12 deficiency because it is mainly found naturally in animal foods.

Pregnant women need more B12 to support their baby’s development.

Forty percent 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.

People taking antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn can also have B12 deficiency.

People who have had bariatric or other intestinal surgeries are more likely to have issues absorbing B12

Autoimmune diseases can also destroy the parietal cells in the stomach that make intrinsic factor (IF) causing a disease called “pernicious anemia”.

Elderly people can have a digestive system that doesn’t breakdown food as well, which can also contribute to a B12 deficiency.

Optimize Your Vitamin B12 Level in 3 Easy Steps

1 Measure

Measure

You won’t know if your Vitamin B12 level is optimal just because you eat a balanced diet or take supplements — it must be measured. Colli-Pee device: How it Works (Video).

1

2 Modify

Modify

Once you know your Vitamin B12 level, it may be optimized with simple dietary changes or may prompt other lifestyle changes.

2

Monitor

3 Monitor

Testing your Vitamin B12 level every 4-6 months will ensure that your levels stay optimal.

3

Customer Testimonials

How It Works

Order: Choose the test service you would like. The sample collection kit typically arrives in 3 to 5 days.

Collect Sample: Follow the simple kit instructions to collect your urine sample from the comfort of home. Once you collect your sample, mail it back to our lab using the pre-paid envelope.

Get Results: In 2-4 weeks you will receive an email letting you know your personalized results are ready.

How It Works

Order: Choose the test service you would like. The sample collection kit typically arrives in 3 to 5 days.

Collect Sample: Follow the simple kit instructions to collect your urine sample from the comfort of home. Once you collect your sample, mail it back to our lab using the pre-paid envelope.

Get Results: In 2-4 weeks you will receive an email letting you know your personalized results are ready.

Your results.
Supported by science.

Actionable:
B12 levels start changing as soon as you change your diet and lifestyle.
Personalized:
Personalized recommendations based off your test results.
Certified:
Samples are processed in our CLIA certified laboratory.
Validated:
Sample analysis traceable to NIST.
Compare:
Reference ranges show you how you compare to your peers.

Vitamin B12 Test Videos

FAQ

Why is the uMMA result reported as mmol/mol creatinine?

MMA can be measured in blood, but can also be 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 creatinine that is filtered into the urine by the kidneys. When we compare the urinary MMA to urinary creatinine, 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.

Are the uMMA test results reported in units or just ‘high’ or ‘low’?

The uMMA test results are reported in specific units. The units are mmol MMA/mol cr. Normal vitamin B12 status is indicated when the result is below 3.6 mmol MMA/mol cr, but new research shows that an optimal level is below 2.0 mmol MMA/mol cr. A result above 3.6 mmol MMA/mol cr indicates a possible B12 deficiency. More testing is often needed to confirm true deficiency, so please consult with your healthcare provider if you get this result.

Why has my doctor never recommended a Vitamin B12 uMMA test?

Doctors typically do measure vitamin B12 levels, and some may measure blood MMA levels. However, the urinary test for MMA is not used as much because it’s less common and may be more expensive.

Does the urine sample need to be collected at a specific time?

Short answer. Yes, take a sample of your first pee of the day. This helps reduce any “noise” in the sample.

Still have questions?

Visit our FAQ section for more information and to learn more.