Trimethylamine: What TMA Says About Your Gut Microbes

Trimethylamine (TMA) is a compound produced by certain bacteria in the gut, including Clostridium species and some strains of E. coli. These bacteria have enzymes which convert certain nutrients from our diet, such as choline and carnitine, into TMA. When TMA enters the bloodstream, it is changed into another compound called trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver. TMAO is linked to the development of heart disease and other health conditions. While the bacteria that produce TMA are a small part of the gut microbiome, higher levels of these bacteria are found in people with heart disease.

TMA made by gut bacteria can enter the bloodstream, where it is converted into TMAO. People with higher blood TMAO levels have an increased risk of heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and even death. High levels of TMAO in the blood are also linked to conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Your stool TMA index can help estimate the potential for high TMAO levels, though it doesn't always directly match blood TMAO levels.

Our reference ranges are based on the standards provided by our gut health lab testing partner, Tiny Health. These ranges reflect the latest evidence and methodologies used by Tiny Health in analyzing and interpreting gut microbiome data.