An abnormal urinary excretion of glycine betaine may persist for years.

Objectives: Does abnormal betaine excretion persist?

Design And Methods: Patients (10) with abnormal excretion in 1998 were recalled in 2005. Subsequent urine samples were collected on 4 days from persistently abnormal subjects.

Results: Half the 1998 abnormal patients were abnormal in 2005. Only 1/20 controls was abnormal (p=0.015). All patients with abnormal excretion in 1998 and 2005 had abnormal excretion on successive days while no controls did.

Conclusions: High betaine excretion may be chronic and a health risk.