Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 5 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum or plasma, shipped refrigerated
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Spun NMR LipoTube (black-and-yellow-top tube) is the preferred container; lavender-top (EDTA) tubes or plain red-top (no gel) tubes are also acceptable specimens.
Collection
Keep NMR LipoTube (black-and-yellow-top tube) upright at room temperature for 30 minutes and allow to clot. Centrifuge at 1800 to 2200 g for 10 to 15 minutes immediately after clotting. If the sample cannot be centrifuged immediately, it must be refrigerated at (2°C to 8°C) and centrifuged within 24 hours of collection. The NMR tube should then be stored at (2°C to 8°C) until shipped. Do not open NMR LipoTube.
For specimens collected in plain red-top tube, hold tube upright at room temperature for 45 minutes and allow to clot. Centrifuge specimen after clotting according to manufacturer's specifications. Transfer to a transport tube for storage at (2°C to 8°C) until shipped.
Serum drawn in gel-barrier collection tubes other than the NMR LipoTube should not be used.
Plasma must be separated from cells within 45 minutes of venipuncture. Send plasma in a plastic transfer tube.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Patient Preparation
TMAO levels are lower in humans who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet than in omnivores.3 Because TMA and TMAO are naturally abundant in some fish,7,8 patients should fast overnight and refrain from consuming fish and other marine food items the day before the blood draw. Fasting for 10 to 12 hours is recommended.
Causes for Rejection
Unspun LipoTube; serum specimen drawn in gel-barrier collection tube other than the NMR LipoTube; sample older than 14 days
Test Details
Use
High levels of TMAO have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease.1
The TMAO test may be used as (1) an aid in the assessment of risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of established risk factors, (2) an aid in the determination of altered gut microbiome (gut dysbiosis) in individuals who may benefit from intensive dietary intervention, and (3) a monitor therapy aimed at reducing TMAO concentrations.
Limitations
Interferences: 1) Acetylsalicylic acid elicited 10% interference at 3.5 mg/dL, while its active metabolite, salicylic acid, elicited 10% interference at 42 mg/dL. 2) Protein (albumin) elicited 10% interference at 0.83 mg/dL. 3) Bilirubin (unconjugated) elicited 10% interference at 10.1 mg/dL. 4) Uric acid elicited 10% interference at 13.8 mg/dL.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Methodology
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
Reference Interval
TMAO Medical Decision Limits | |
|---|---|
Low | <6.2 µM |
Moderate | 6.2−9.9 µM |
High | >9.9 µM |
Additional Information
TMAO is a dietary metabolite produced by a pathway involving gut microbiota. TMAO concentrations increase in the blood after ingestion of dietary choline and L-carnitine, which are abundant in meat, eggs, liver, and wheat germ and energy drinks. Choline and L-carnitine are metabolized in the gut by microbiota to form trimethylamine (TMA), which is subsequently oxidized in the liver into TMAO by flavin monooxygenases (FMOs). TMAO concentrations have been shown to be reduced in animals and humans treated with broad-spectrum oral antibiotics confirming the requirement for gut bacteria in the formation of TMA and TMAO.2-6 TMAO has been hypothesized to promote atherosclerosis by upregulating macro-phage scavenger receptor activity and downregulating bile acid synthesis which together reduce reverse cholesterol transport.2-6
Footnotes
1. Garcia E, Wolak-Dinsmore J, Wang Z, et al. NMR quantification of trimethylamine-N-oxide in human serum and plasma in the clinical laboratory setting. Clin. Biochem. 2017 Nov;50(16-17):947-955.28624482
2. Wang Z, Klipfell E, Bennett BJ, et al. Gut flora metabolism of phosphatidylcholine promotes cardiovascular disease. Nature. 2011 Apr 7;472(7341):57-63.21475195
3. Koeth RA, Wang Z, Levison BS, et al. Intestinal microbiota metabolism of l-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis. Nat Med. 2013 May;19(5):576-585.23563705
4. Tang WH, Wang Z, Levison BS, et al. Intestinal microbial metabolism of phosphatidylcholine and cardiovascular risk. New Eng J Med. 2013 Apr 25;368(17):1575-1584.23614584
5. Zhu W, Gregory JC, Org E, et al. Gut Microbial Metabolite TMAO Enhances Platelet Hyperreactivity and Thrombosis Risk. Cell. 2016 Mar 24;165(1):111-124.26972052
6. Senthong V, Li XS, Hudec T, et al. Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide, a Gut Microbe-Generated Phosphatidylcholine Metabolite, Is Associated With Atherosclerotic Burden. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016 Jun 7;67(22):2620-2628.27256833
7. Lundstrom RC, Racicot LD. Gas chromatographic determination of dimethylamine and trimethylamine in seafoods. J Assoc Off Anal Chem. 1983 Sep;66(5):1158-1163.6630129
8. Svensson BG, Akesson B, Nilsson A, Paulsson K. Urinary excretion of methylamines in men with varying intake of fish from the Baltic Sea. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1994 Apr;41(4):411-420.8145282
References
Heianza Y, Ma W, Manson JE, Rexrode KM, Qi L. Gut microbiota metabolites and risk of major adverse cardiovascular disease events and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Jun 29;6(7):e004947.28663251
Tang WH, Wang Z, Levison BS, Koeth RA, Britt EB, Fu X, et al. Intestinal microbial metabolism of phosphatidylcholine and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med. 2013 Apr 25;368(17):1575-1584.23614584
Wang Z, Klipfell E, Bennett BJ, et al. Gut flora metabolism of phosphatidylcholine promotes cardiovascular disease. Nature. 2011 Apr 7;472(7341):57-63.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123413 | TMAO (Trimethylamine N-oxide) | 93765-6 | 123414 | TMAO (Trimethylamine N-oxide) | uM | 93765-6 |
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