Trimethylaminuria & That Fishy Odour

No one wants to have bad breath – it can be social embarrassing in any situation. Fortunately though, it can usually be controlled with good oral hygiene or watching what we eat and drink. But in rare instances, it can be a systemic problem – it comes from within the body. One such cause is the genetic disease called trimethylaminuria. According to The Clinical Biochemist, NZ, this is a metabolic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which results in the sufferer producing a fishy breath and body odour. Here's what you need to know about the disorder and how it affects those who have it.

Genetics

If you have trimethylaminuria, you have an inherited enzyme deficiency. Mutations within the FM03 gene cause most (but not all) cases of trimethylaminuria. Bacteria in the stomach produce trimethylamine (TMA) from the reduction of compounds such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and choline. TMA has a fishy odour, but it is typically converted back into odourless TMAO in the liver by the FMO3 enzyme.

But suppose you are deficient in the FMO3 enzyme. In that case, there is an accumulation of trimethylamine, which eventually excretes in the urine, sweat and breath - causing an odour with a distinct fishy smell. This unpleasant combination of a fishy bad breath and body odour can cause the sufferer considerable embarrassment and emotional distress.

Trimethylaminuria diagnosis & treatment

To determine a diagnosis, your physician must rule out other disorders that may be causing an uncontrollable body odour. Your doctor will probably organise a urine sample for analysis to determine trimethylamine and trimethylamine-N-oxide levels. Genetic testing is available for FM03 (the gene known to cause trimethylaminuria). However, it is arguable whether this helps with the diagnosis. According to Dermnet NZ, this is generally only done for research purposes.

Although there is no cure for trimethylaminuria, fortunately, the symptoms can be controlled. Symptoms are managed through diet adjustments, such as avoiding fish and other foods high in trimethylamine-N-oxide. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed to attempt to correct your stomach's flora (bacteria). Also, activated charcoal can be used to try to bind the trimethylamine in the stomach.

Effects on your oral health

While there is no known or documented negative effect of trimethylaminuria on the teeth or gums, it can cause a fishy breath. The tongue is the area most likely to host bacteria that cause bad breath, so a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can help scrub away this bacteria.

If you think you may suffer from this condition, try not to hide away. Remember, it is a medical problem that can be managed with help and advice from your doctor. So reach out and speak to your doctor soon – the right advice could significantly improve your quality of life.