   Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)  Print
friendly version   Other Names for this Disease   • Fish malodor
syndrome   • Fish odor syndrome   • Stale fish syndrome   • TMAU
• TMAuria  Your Question  Although I have not been diagnosed
with trimethylaminuria, I have been having a foul odor for about
2 years.  Can you tell me more about this condition? How can I
be tested for this condition? How is it treated? Is there a cure
for trimethylaminuria?  Our Answer   What is trimethylaminuria?
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a metabolic disorder in which an
individual is not able to break down trimethylamine into smaller
parts. Trimethylamine is the substance that gives fish their
distinctive smell. Since an individual with TMAU is unable to
break down trimethylamine, they tend to have a fish-like odor
coming from their sweat, urine, reproductive fluids, and breath.
TMAU is caused by a mutation in the FMO3 gene and is inherited
in an autosomal recessive pattern. This condition can be
diagnosed by a