TRIMETHYLAMINURIA

This sick is definitely fishy!

Trimethylaminuria (Fish Odor Syndrome) is a hereditary, metabolic disorder which renders the body unable to properly break down the compound trimethylamine from foods. This inability to breakdown the compound causes the chemical to build up in the system and to be released via sweat, urine and breath giving off an intensely unpleasant fishy odor.

There is no cure for the disease. Some studies have shown that ingesting copper or charcoal on a daily basis can reduce or eliminate the odor, but results are mixed. Limiting the consumption of foods which break down into trimethylamine can also be helpful, but these dietary restrictions are difficult since so many foods break down into the chemical.

Trimethylaminuria is not life threatening, but it has an extreme impact on quality of life. The odor is so intense that it can cause major disruptions in a victim's social life, leading to depression.

This sick gets a
1 on my "lethality scale" (1-10)
and a 3 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10)