Low Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA): what it means
A Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) result below the normal range is considered low. Here is what a reduced Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) can point to, and when it is worth discussing with a doctor.
Reference range: measured in a 24-hour urine collection; a metabolite of adrenaline/noradrenaline used, like metanephrines, to look for a catecholamine-secreting tumour
Understand your full resultWhat a low Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) can mean
- Normal — the reassuring and expected result; argues against a catecholamine-secreting tumour.
When to discuss with a doctor
Urinary VMA is a specialist test used to look for a catecholamine-secreting tumour — a pheochromocytoma in adults, or neuroblastoma in children — when there are suggestive symptoms (spells of high blood pressure, headache, sweating, palpitations), resistant hypertension, an adrenal mass, or, in a child, signs of neuroblastoma. It is often paired with or replaced by the more sensitive metanephrine tests. Because vanilla-containing foods, coffee, certain fruits and some medicines can distort the result, the accuracy depends on following the pre-collection restrictions, and a mildly raised value is often repeated. A clearly high level prompts confirmation and imaging. Mediora.AI can surface a raised VMA alongside metanephrines and your blood pressure so the pattern is visible; confirming a tumour and any treatment belong with your specialist.
Conditions this can relate to
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One value is a snapshot. Upload the full test to see every marker explained together.
Upload your test - freeMediora.AI is informational - interpretation, not a diagnosis. A single out-of-range value is common and often benign; always discuss decisions with your doctor.