This private urine test measures methylmalonic acid (MMA), a functional marker that rises when active vitamin B12 is low at tissue level. The catalogue price is £190.00 with no phlebotomy fee, and results are usually available in 2 weeks.
Because this test uses a random urine sample rather than a venous blood draw, it is suitable if you want to investigate borderline serum vitamin B12 results without a needle.
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam. Reviewed by Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar (GMC 4694470) on 18/10/2026.
It measures methylmalonic acid excreted in urine, which helps detect functional vitamin B12 deficiency when serum vitamin B12 is borderline or symptoms persist.
No. Because this is a urine test rather than a blood test, the £50 phlebotomy fee does not apply and you pay £190.00 for the laboratory analysis.
An early morning or random urine sample is normally used. Avoid high-dose vitamin B12 supplements before testing unless your clinician advises you to test while on treatment.
Results are normally returned in about 2 weeks from our UKAS-accredited partner laboratory.