--- title: Methylmalonic Acid Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/methylmalonic-acid" also_known_as: - methylmalonic acid - mma - methylmalonic acid, serum - serum mma category: Vitamins & Nutrients units: - nmol/L order_price_usd: 49.99 order_item: Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/methylmalonic-acid" reviewed_at: 2026-09-17 --- # Methylmalonic Acid > Methylmalonic Acid is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 378 nmol/L. At TestWell it's $49.99 all-in as Methylmalonic Acid (MMA), results in 5–12 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: methylmalonic acid, mma, methylmalonic acid, serum, serum mma. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | nmol/L | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 5–12 business days | | Price | $49.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does Methylmalonic Acid measure? A metabolite that builds up when cells lack usable vitamin B12. The most specific marker of functional B12 deficiency. ## What is the normal range for Methylmalonic Acid? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+, Labcorp interval; Quest reports 87–318 nmol/L (1 µmol/L = 1,000 nmol/L) | 0.000 – 378 nmol/L | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high Methylmalonic Acid mean? Most often reflects vitamin B12 deficiency at the tissue level, even when serum B12 looks borderline or normal. Reduced kidney function raises MMA independently, so the result is read with creatinine; pregnancy, older age and rare inherited metabolic disorders also raise it. ## What does a low Methylmalonic Acid mean? A low or undetectable MMA has no clinical significance — it simply indicates adequate B12 activity. ## How often should you retest? If MMA was raised and B12 replacement has started, a recheck after about 3 months of treatment shows whether tissue-level deficiency has resolved; MMA normalizes within weeks of effective treatment, so a persistently high value points to ongoing malabsorption, kidney disease or another cause. ## How do you get tested for Methylmalonic Acid? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/methylmalonic-acid) | Single test | $49.99 | This marker | | [Comprehensive B12 Deficiency Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/b12-deficiency-panel) | Panel | $79.99 | 3 tests | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $49.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $49.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $54.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about Methylmalonic Acid ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my methylmalonic acid? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get Methylmalonic Acid results? Most Methylmalonic Acid results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a Methylmalonic Acid test cost? Our Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) starts at $49.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my Methylmalonic Acid test? Fasting is not required for the Methylmalonic Acid test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day. ### Which lab will process my Methylmalonic Acid test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet for Health Professionals](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/) - [Labcorp — Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (test 706961)](https://www.labcorp.com/tests/706961/methylmalonic-acid-serum-or-plasma) - [British Society for Haematology — Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate disorders (2014)](https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.12959) ## Related biomarkers - [Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/vitamin-d-25-hydroxy) - [Vitamin B12](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/vitamin-b12) - [Folate](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/folate) - [Vitamin A (Retinol)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/vitamin-a-retinol) - [Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/vitamin-b1-thiamine) - [Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/vitamin-b2-riboflavin) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-17. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/methylmalonic-acid Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.