The exact prevalence of TMAU is unknown, and estimates of global cases vary greatly, ranging from 1 in a million to 1 in 200,000 people
Causes: Patients with TMAU smell like fish due to a buildup of a chemical called trimethylamine in their body. Trimethylamine is produced by bacteria in the gut as a byproduct of the digestion eggs, liver, legumes and specific kinds of seafood
Related: Why can’t we smell ourselves as well as we smell others?
Normally, an enzyme in the body breaks down trimethylamine via urine
In patients with TMAU, though, this enzymatic process doesn’t occur, so trimethylamine accumulates in the body and ends up being released in excess quantities in patients’ sweat, urine and breath
Most cases of TMAU are caused by mutations in the FMO3 gene that prevent the enzyme it encodes from working properly. In these instances, patients inherit the disease in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning they must inherit two copies of the mutated FMO3 gene — one from each parent — to develop the condition.
More rarely, TMAU can be caused by consuming a large quantity of foods that lead to trimethylamine production. It can also result from liver failure and certain medical treatments, such as testosterone replacement therapy, which impact the processing and production of trimethylamine, respectively. Hormonal changes brought about by the menstrual cycle can also cause a transient form of TMAU.
Patients with trimethylaminuria should avoid eating seafood, which can aggravate their symptoms. (Image credit: Oscar Wong via Getty Images)
Symptoms: Symptoms of TMAU may be present from birth or arise later in life puberty many hormonal changes happen
Some patients with TMAU have a strong fishy odor all the time
TMAU is not deadly devastating effects relationships with others and their career mental health suicidal thoughts
Treatments: There is no cure for TMAU. However, health care providers may recommend that patients avoid foods that contain trimethylamine or substances that can be broken down into the chemical
Patients may also be advised to wash their skin with a slightly acidic soap or shampoo
Additionally, doctors can prescribe low doses of antibiotics can be absorbed from the gut Activated charcoal can interact with many medications , though, so it should be used with caution.)
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
