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I'm a teenager, and I've tried a lot of deodorants but I still have a fishy body odor.
Today, after a very "smelly" day at school I came back and I was doing research on body odors when I found out that my type of B.O is probably the worst kind and its hereditary.
It is caused by a metabolic disorder called "trimethylaminuria"...

Does anyone know anything about this problem, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks people! God Bless

2007-02-13 09:35:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Other - Health

5 answers

What is trimethylaminuria?
Trimethylaminuria is a disorder in which the body is unable to break down trimethylamine, a compound derived from the diet that has a strong odor of rotting fish. As trimethylamine builds up in the body, it causes affected people to give off a fish-like odor in their sweat, urine, and breath. The intensity of this odor may vary over time. In many cases, the strong body odor interferes with an affected person's relationships, social life, and career. People with trimethylaminuria may experience depression and social isolation as a result of this condition.

How common is trimethylaminuria?
Trimethylaminuria is an uncommon genetic disorder; its incidence is unknown.

What genes are related to trimethylaminuria?
Mutations in the FMO3 gene cause trimethylaminuria.

The FMO3 gene makes an enzyme that breaks down nitrogen-containing compounds from the diet, including trimethylamine. This compound is produced by bacteria in the intestine as they digest proteins from eggs, meat, soy, and other foods. Normally, the FMO3 enzyme converts fishy-smelling trimethylamine into another molecule that has no odor. If the enzyme is missing or its activity is reduced because of a mutation in the FMO3 gene, trimethylamine is not broken down and instead builds up in the body. As the compound is released in a person's sweat, urine, and breath, it causes the strong odor characteristic of trimethylaminuria. Researchers believe that stress and diet also play a role in triggering symptoms.

Although FMO3 mutations account for most known cases of trimethylaminuria, some cases are caused by other factors. A fish-like body odor could result from an excess of certain proteins in the diet or from an increase in bacteria that normally break down trimethylamine in the digestive system. A few cases of the disorder have been identified in adults with liver damage caused by hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver). Temporary symptoms of trimethylaminuria have also been reported in a small number of premature infants and in some healthy women at the start of menstruation.

How do people inherit trimethylaminuria?
Most cases of trimethylaminuria appear to be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means two copies of the gene in each cell are altered. Most often, the parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive disorder are carriers of one copy of the altered gene. Carriers may have mild symptoms of trimethylaminuria or experience temporary episodes of fish-like body odor

2007-02-13 09:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by St♥rmy Skye 6 · 1 0

go to www.webmd.com, and do a search. apparently there are places you can contact regarding this condition. i have copied and pasted that information here for you
CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)

Climb Building

176 Nantwich Road

Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 870 7700 325

Fax: +44 870 7700 327

Email: info@climb.org.uk

Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk



Trimethylaminuria Foundation

P.O. Box 3361

Grand Central Station

New York, NY 10163

USA

Email: trimeth411@aol.com



Trimethylaminuria Midwest Region Foundation

12537 Hardy Street

Overland Park, KS 66213-1446

Tel: (913)906-9496

Email: EMPORIA962000@YAHOO.COM



Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)519-3194

Fax: (240)632-9164

Tel: (888)205-2311

TDD: (888)205-3223

Email: gardinfo@nih.gov

good luck with this..

2007-02-13 17:52:35 · answer #2 · answered by darlin12009 5 · 1 1

Although there is no cure for trimethylaminuria, it is possible for people with this condition to live relatively normal, healthy lives without the fear of being shunned because of their unpleasant odor. Ways of reducing the odor include:
* Avoiding foods containing choline and trimethylamine-oxide, the precursors of trimethylamine.
* Taking low doses of antibiotics to reduce the amount of bacteria in the gut.
* Using soaps with a moderate pH, between 5.5 and 6.5.

Also helpful are:
* Behavioral counseling to help with depression and other psychological symptoms.
* Genetic counseling to better understand their condition.

Diagnosis
One of the tests for trimethylaminuria is a urine test for elevated levels of trimethylamine.

A similar test can be used to identify carriers of this condition - those individuals who carry one copy of a mutated gene but do not have symptoms. In this case, the person would be given a high dose of choline (one of the precursors of trimethylamine) and then have their urine tested for elevated levels of trimethylamine.

There also is a DNA test that can detect the genetic defect.

2007-02-13 17:48:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

My x husband had this same issue, and so did our daughter.... This is what I suggest that you do. Take a shower in the morning, if you can take a shower in the afternoon time, and one at night. When you sweat try cornstarch powder, under your arms, between your legs. This is not a joke try and let me know what happens. Don't be embarrassed just try it

2007-02-13 17:45:43 · answer #4 · answered by sodgirl6763 4 · 0 2

just find another smelly girlfriend and you won't even notice.

2007-02-13 17:50:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 3

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