tma

TMA is an acronym that can refer to multiple concepts in different fields. The two most common meanings are in medicine and in chemistry/biology, though other domain-specific uses exist.

In medicine, thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) denotes a pathological process characterized by microvascular thrombosis, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia, often with organ dysfunction such as kidney injury or neurologic symptoms. TMA encompasses several conditions, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and may be primary or secondary to infections, drugs, pregnancy, or autoimmune diseases. Diagnosis relies on laboratory findings such as schistocytes on a peripheral blood smear, elevated LDH, reduced haptoglobin, and varying levels of kidney function; management is cause-specific and can include plasma exchange for TTP, supportive care, and treatment of underlying triggers. Prognosis varies with the underlying cause and timely treatment.

In chemistry and biology, trimethylamine (TMA) is a volatile tertiary amine with the formula (CH3)3N. It is produced in the human body, notably by gut microbiota during the metabolism of choline and carnitine, and contributes to a characteristic fishy odor when excreted in urine or breath, a feature seen in trimethylaminuria (fish odor syndrome) due to impaired conversion of TMA to its oxide. In the body, TMA is oxidized in the liver to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) by flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). TMA is also used industrially as a chemical precursor and flavor/fragrance component in some contexts, and its levels can be influenced by diet and microbiome composition, with research exploring links to cardiovascular health via TMAO.

Other uses of the acronym exist, such as regulatory terms like the UK Traffic Management Act, but these are less common. Context is essential to determine which meaning is intended.