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Living with Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria

A rare metabolic condition in which muscle fibers break down suddenly, releasing myoglobin into the urine.

Understanding Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria

Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria is an inborn error of metabolism in which muscle fibers suddenly break down and myoglobin passes into the urine.

This can turn the urine dark. Episodes can bring muscle pain, weakness, and fever, and may be set off by exercise or viral infection. The kidneys can be harmed. It starts in childhood.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Dark urine
  • Muscle pain with exercise
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fever
  • Muscle inflammation (myositis)
  • Muscle breakdown with viral infections

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What kinds of activity or illness can set off an episode?
What should I do if my urine turns dark?
How should my kidneys be monitored?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant, Autosomal Recessive

GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition. It can be autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive.

GeneticNeurologicalInherited Metabolic

Also known as: genetic recurrent myoglobinuria

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuriaGARD ID 16916 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria.

Explore the Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria blog

Explore research for Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria

Explore actively recruiting Hereditary recurrent myoglobinuria studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

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  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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