Causes And Risk Factors Of Trimethylaminuria

Liver Disease

There are actually two types of trimethylaminuria. One is called primary TMAU, and the other is known as acquired TMAU. Primary trimethylaminuria is inherited and is present at birth, whereas acquired trimethylaminuria is not present at birth. It's generally caused by something like an infection, disease, or injury to the liver. The FMO3 gene is responsible for producing the specific protein necessary for normal functioning of a particular enzyme in the liver. When this enzyme is absent, trimethylamine cannot be properly processed. It doesn't matter what caused the enzyme's absence or reduction. If it's not there, symptoms of trimethylaminuria will appear, regardless of the individual's age or genetic history. It's certainly possible for liver disease, such as hepatitis C, to cause a disruption in the enzyme system that breaks down the stinky TMA molecule into the odorless TMAO one. The same thing could happen in the case of severe liver injury.

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