Trimethylamine is a chemical produced normally in the body and usually metabolized by the liver. However, in individuals with trimethylaminuria, trimethylamine accumulates in the body because it is metabolized or excreted less effectively than normal. In this case, a fish-like odor may be emitted through sweat, urine, or breathing.
What is fishy odor (trimethylaminuria) syndrome?
If we look at what trimethylaminuria, also known as fish odor syndrome, means; It is a rare genetic disease that causes urine, sweat and breath to smell fishy. In this disease, there may be situations such as fishy smell in the nose and fishy smell in body fluids. The fishy smell is caused by trimethylamine. We can answer the question “What is trimethylamine?” as follows: Trimethylamine (TMA) is an organic compound with a fishy odor.
Fishy odor syndrome is caused by the accumulation of a substance called trimethylamine (TMA) in the body. TMA is normally processed by the liver and eliminated from the body. In patients with trimethylaminuria, fish odor syndrome occurs if the liver cannot process TMA properly or if the intestinal bacteria producing TMA are excessive.
What are the symptoms of fishy odor (trimethylaminuria) syndrome?
Symptoms of fishy odor (trimethylaminuria) syndrome usually become apparent in adolescence or adulthood. A person’s sweat or urine may emit a fish-like odor, which can lead to social isolation, shyness, and low self-esteem. Symptoms of fish odor syndrome include:
- Fishy smell of urine, sweat and breath
- A fishy smell may be felt in hot weather, after exercise and after consuming certain foods.
- Excessive sweating problems are common in individuals with trimethylaminuria.
- Individuals with fish odor syndrome may often experience social isolation and low self-esteem.
- Individuals with fish odor syndrome may experience odor-related stress and anxiety.
- In some cases, other physical symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, or headache may also occur associated with trimethylaminuria.
How is fish odor (trimethylaminuria) syndrome treated?
Treatment methods such as diet, medication and liver transplantation can be used to treat fishy odor (trimethylaminuria) syndrome. It is important to work with a dietitian to treat TMAU disease. Fish odor syndrome is an embarrassing disease that can lead to social isolation, but fish odor can be controlled with trimethylaminuria treatment. Some methods for treating fish odor syndrome are as follows:
- One of the most important methods in the treatment of fish odor syndrome is diet. Avoiding or limiting foods containing TMA may help reduce fishy odor. Foods containing TMA are fish and seafood, red meat, eggs, soybeans, legumes, nuts and some vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts.
- Drug treatment can be used in fish odor syndrome that cannot be controlled with diet.
- In rare cases, if trimethylaminuria is caused by liver failure, liver transplantation may be administered.
- Showering regularly and using deodorant can also help reduce fishy odor.
This information is for informational purposes only. If you have a medical question, it is important to consult your doctor.