{"product_id":"3-o-methyldopa-3-omd-dried-blood-spot-test","title":"3-O-Methyldopa (3-OMD) — Dried Blood Spot Test","description":"\u003cp\u003eA targeted dried blood spot (DBS) test measuring 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) — the primary metabolite of L-DOPA. Used as a screening marker for aromatic L-amino acid\u003cbr\u003edecarboxylase (AADC) deficiency and for monitoring L-DOPA-based therapy in patients with rare neurometabolic conditions. Available to patients and clinicians across the European Union.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the 3-OMD test?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) is a metabolite formed during the metabolism of L-DOPA (levodopa) — a naturally occurring amino acid and the direct precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. When the enzyme responsible for converting L-DOPA into dopamine — aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) — is absent or severely deficient, L-DOPA accumulates and is instead converted to 3-OMD via an alternative metabolic pathway. This leads to significantly elevated levels of 3-OMD in the blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurement of 3-OMD from a dried blood spot sample provides a rapid, minimally invasive, and highly specific screening marker for AADC deficiency — one of the rarest and most severe inherited neurometabolic disorders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe test is performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS\/MS) at our specialist laboratory in Warsaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is AADC deficiency?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is an ultra-rare inherited neurometabolic disorder caused by mutations in the DDC gene. It affects the biosynthesis of monoamine neurotransmitters — dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and noradrenaline — which are essential for motor function, autonomic regulation, and neurodevelopment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAADC deficiency typically presents in infancy with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSevere hypotonia (low muscle tone)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOculogyric crises — involuntary upward deviation of the eyes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDevelopmental delay and intellectual disability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutonomic dysfunction (temperature instability, excessive sweating, nasal congestion)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMovement disorders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAADC deficiency is frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed with significant delay due to its rarity and the overlap of its symptoms with other neurological conditions. Elevated 3-OMD in a dried blood spot sample is a key biochemical indicator of AADC deficiency and should prompt further confirmatory investigation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional clinical applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonitoring L-DOPA therapy: In patients with AADC deficiency or other conditions treated with L-DOPA, 3-OMD levels reflect L-DOPA metabolism and can guide dose optimisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifferential diagnosis of movement disorders: Elevated 3-OMD may also be observed in other conditions affecting dopamine metabolism, supporting broader differential diagnostic workups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this test for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfants or children with suspected AADC deficiency — hypotonia, oculogyric crises, developmental delay of unknown origin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatients already diagnosed with AADC deficiency — for regular therapeutic\u003cbr\u003emonitoring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePatients on L-DOPA therapy — for treatment monitoring and dose adjustment\u003cbr\u003esupport\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClinicians and neurologists investigating neurotransmitter synthesis disorders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClinical geneticists seeking a rapid, non-invasive first-line screening marker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResearchers studying dopamine metabolism or rare neurometabolic conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 101.782531%; height: 315px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Price\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e€60\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSample type\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDried blood spot (DBS) — capillary blood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollection method\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFingertip lancet (included in kit)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnalytes measured\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnalytical method\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLC-MS\/MS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurnaround time\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 business days from sample receipt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKit delivery\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1–2 business days (EU)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 70px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 70px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReport format\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 70px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePDF with quantitative results, reference ranges and\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003einterpretation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 23.255814%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.670841%; height: 35px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll ages including newborns\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0; padding: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"\u003eWhat does an elevated 3-OMD result mean? \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.3s;\"\u003e▼\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; line-height: 1.7; color: #3a3a3a;\"\u003eAn elevated 3-OMD level is a strong biochemical indicator of AADC deficiency. It should always be interpreted by a specialist. Confirmatory testing — including CSF neurotransmitter analysis and genetic testing — is required for a definitive diagnosis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0; padding: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"\u003eCan this test diagnose AADC deficiency on its own? \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.3s;\"\u003e▼\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; line-height: 1.7; color: #3a3a3a;\"\u003eThe 3-OMD DBS test is a highly sensitive screening marker, but confirmation requires additional investigations including CSF neurotransmitter analysis and molecular genetic testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0; padding: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"\u003eIs the test suitable for monitoring treatment? \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.3s;\"\u003e▼\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; line-height: 1.7; color: #3a3a3a;\"\u003eYes. In patients receiving L-DOPA therapy, regular 3-OMD monitoring provides valuable information about drug metabolism and can assist in dose optimisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0; padding: 12px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"\u003eDo I need a referral? \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.3s;\"\u003e▼\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; line-height: 1.7; color: #3a3a3a;\"\u003eNo referral is required to order a test kit. Given the clinical complexity of AADC deficiency, we strongly recommend results are reviewed by a specialist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  details[open] summary span { transform: rotate(180deg); display: inline-block; }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rare Diagnostics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61822064918858,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1033\/4335\/8282\/files\/DBS.T4.01.04.RD.Uzgory_d2a1989b-69a7-4f3e-9353-d24a20bec9cc.png?v=1783840033","url":"https:\/\/rarediagnostics.eu\/products\/3-o-methyldopa-3-omd-dried-blood-spot-test","provider":"Rare Diagnostics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}