Trimethylaminuria ('fish odour syndrome')
Introduction
Trimethylaminuria is an uncommon geneticdisorder that causes a strong body odour usually described as like rotting fish, faeces or garbage.
The odouris created when the body isn'table to process trimethylamine. This isasmelly chemical that's produced in the gut, particularlywhen certain choline-rich foods are digested.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 4 Jan 2017
Introduction
Trimethylaminuria is an uncommon genetic disorder that causes a strong body odour usually described as like rotting fish, faeces or garbage
What are the signs and symptoms?
If you havetrimethylaminuria, the chemical trimethylamine builds up in your body and you'll give off a strong odour in your sweat, urine, saliva and vaginal fluids.There are usually no other symptoms.
What is the cause?
The bacteria in our bowel help us to digest foods such as eggs, beans and seafood. In the process, they produce a strong-smelling chemical called trimethylamine. Normally, an enzyme (protein) called
How is trimethylaminuria diagnosed?
Trimethylaminuria is diagnosed with a urine test that measures the ratio of trimethylamine (the fishy-smelling chemical) to trimethylamine N-oxide (the odourless version). If you havetrimethylaminuri
Information about you
If you or your child hastrimethylaminuria, your clinical team will pass information about you/your childon to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This he
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